Brazil's most charming classic will have its first edition in 2010. The ball rolls soon, this Sunday, at 19:30 p.m., at the Maracanã, for Flamengo and Fluminense, in a game valid for the fifth round of the Guanabara Cup. The duel will be the first since the team from Gávea took over the title of most successful in the history of the State Championships, which until last year belonged to the Tricolor from Laranjeiras.

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Considering recent history, Flamengo fans have reason to be excited. The last time they lost to the club from Laranjeiras was on February 10, 02. On that occasion, Fluminense defeated Flamengo 2008-4 on a Sunday when both clubs fielded a mixed lineup. Since then, Flamengo and Fluminense have drawn five times, with Fluminense coming out on top three times. However, for Petkovic, that doesn't apply this Sunday.

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"These are different moments, different physical stages, different competitions... Fluminense has an excellent team and if last year they suffered from the threat of relegation it wasn't because of the quality of the players," says the foreigner.

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However, Flamengo was unable to count on defender Álvaro in any of these matches, as he will be playing his first derby for the Red-Blacks this Sunday. The player is excited and hopes for an unforgettable afternoon at Maracanã.

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"I'm very happy. They even asked me what it would be like to get past Flamengo without playing a classic at Maracanã, and it really wouldn't be nice. But, I'll be able to play on Sunday and I hope the memory stays in my head forever in the best way possible. Everyone says that Fla x Flu is a great classic, that it's the most charming in Brazil and I'll confirm that tomorrow (Sunday)," he said.

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Duel of stars – Adriano and Fred, with Petkovic and Vagner Love, and Conca and Maicon as supporting players. These are the main attractions of this Sunday's derby at the Biggest in the World. One of the biggest names in the red-and-black attacking trio, Petkovic praises the quality of this Sunday's opponent, but bets on the strength of the "Empire of Love" to leave the field with the victory.

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"Fluminense is in excellent shape. They're in sync and having a great start to the year. It's going to be tough, but with our attack, who knows, maybe we'll be able to score a goal and break this drought [Fluminense hasn't conceded a goal in the Carioca]?" he said.

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Defender Álvaro, in turn, assures he's not afraid of Fred and company: "Their attack is fast, and they have Fred, who's a killer. And since they play with three defenders, the full-backs provide a lot of support up front, but there's no fear. There's respect, which should exist between all teams. It won't be any different with Flamengo; there will be respect. It will be a great game, and I hope we can come away with a win."

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More numbers - From the first match against Fluminense in 1912 to the last meeting on October 4, 2009, the team's history records 381 matches. There were 139 red-and-black wins, 121 draws, and 121 triumphs. In the state championship, the record is also favorable. In 234 matches, there were 84 red-and-black wins, 76 draws, and 74 losses, with 357 goals scored and 323 conceded.

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A summary of the last 20 matches played by the 2009 Brazilian Championship Series A teams shows that Flamengo and Fluminense are the teams in the best form in Brazilian football. Their rivals' records are identical: 15 wins, four draws, and only one loss. It's no surprise that Flamengo and Fluminense ended last year on a high note, thanks to their surges that enabled them to win the Brazilian title and end the risk of relegation to Series B, respectively.

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Cheerleaders - Ticket salespeople expect 50 fans to attend this Sunday's Fla-Flu match at 19:30 p.m. at Maracanã. The first derby between the two teams this season, the match promises to be one of the most exciting in the stands. Flamengo fans have prepared a banner mocking the Tricolor. The banner says something related to the red-and-black hegemony will be revealed upon the team's entrance onto the field.

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Last year, Flamengo surpassed Fluminense in state championships (31 to 30). Striker Vagner Love will also be remembered. Since there wasn't enough time to make a flag with the striker's face, the organized fan base promises to take a flag with "Love" written on it to the stadium. Before the game, the Urubuzada (Urubuzada) will parade with its Carnival group starting at noon. The group will gather at Praça Vanhargem, and will head down Avenida Maracanã toward the Bellini Statue.

Flamengo vs Fluminense

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Date: January 31, 2010
Time: 19h30
Stadium: Maracanã

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Arbitration: Marcelo de Lima Henrique
Assistants: Dilbert Pedrosa and Luiz Antonio Muniz

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Flamengo: Bruno, Fierro, Álvaro, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Toró, Fernando, Kleberson and Petkovic; Vagner Love and Adriano. Coach: Andrade.
Fluminense: Rafael (Fernando Henrique), Mariano, Gum, Digão and Julio Cesar; Diogo, Everton, Willians and Conca; Maicon and Fred. Coach: Cuca