After Friday morning's training session at Engenhão Stadium, coach Cuca was full of praise for Vitória, who will face Flamengo tomorrow in Rio de Janeiro. According to the red-and-black coach, the team led by Paulo César Carpegiani is a contender for the Brazilian title.

"They're a great team that's been playing some great games. They perform very well away from home, marking hard and going on the counterattack at speed. They vary their formation throughout the match, playing with one or two forwards. We have to be very careful and serious."

Cuca wants the Flamengo team to approach the match as a decisive one.

"Vitória is right at the top of the table, just one point ahead of the leaders. They're having a great campaign and are a direct rival in the title race. It's a crucial game, and we have to treat it like a decisive one."