With the coach already selected for Wednesday's match against Corinthians in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, Flamengo has been given Sunday off. The coaching staff's plan is to keep the players healthy and recharge their batteries for the midweek clash.

Fitness coach Alexandre Sanz believes the red-and-black team can take advantage of this. According to him, the team was already in good physical shape, but didn't have much time to rest between matches.

"The team was on a very difficult run, with crucial games in the middle of the week and on the weekend, and that takes its toll. By playing only one game a week, the team has more time to rest and also to prepare during the week, because they get an extra day of training. A day off during the week is always good, and this is proven by studies. The body needs to recover, and this helps prevent injuries," he explained.

While the coach celebrated the time off, he also lamented the fact that he wouldn't be playing this weekend. After all, if the team had been playing this Sunday, it would have been for the Campeonato Carioca final.

"Look, it's actually good, but the team was in good physical shape and I wouldn't have liked to only be playing midweek. We wanted to compete for the Rio title. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, and now we have to focus on the Libertadores," he added.

The team will return to training on Monday and will train again on Tuesday. Coach Rogério Lourenço will monitor the players' performance in these activities to determine the team that will face Corinthians.