After a 1-1 draw with Vitória last night at Barradão Stadium, coach Caio Júnior remained optimistic about winning their sixth Brazilian championship, as the red-and-black team is now just three points behind leaders Grêmio. For the manager, the key to this final stretch is to consider each challenge individually.

"First we have to think about Portuguesa. We only have Friday to work on our opponent. There's no point in thinking about Botafogo without going through Portuguesa. We've had a few stumbles at home and we have to avoid repeating them. Let's take one game at a time. We're still in the fight. Although we didn't win, the gap to the leader has dropped from four to three points."

Caio Júnior is keeping an eye on São Paulo's table, which beat Botafogo yesterday and closed in on leaders Grêmio.

"The team with the biggest theoretical advantage is São Paulo, which doesn't have a direct confrontation. That could be a problem. But this final stretch will be thrilling."