Hard work amidst a paradisiacal landscape. This is how Flamengo began its week of training ahead of next Sunday's Brazilian Championship match against Juventude in Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul. On Leblon beach in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, the players completed a grueling workout under the guidance of fitness coach Ronaldo Torres.

"It was a muscular explosion workout. For the first time in sixty days, we were able to do this type of training. We were playing every weekend and weekend, and that made it impossible to do more intense physical training," explained Ronaldo.

In addition to Renato Augusto, who was handed over to the medical department, Roger, Ibson, Maxi and Fábio Luciano, all still recovering from muscle problems, did not participate in training.

"They're not physically fit enough to do this training. They stayed in Gávea doing muscular resistance work," the physical trainer said.

Ronaldo added that the team will show improvements in their physical appearance in the match against Juventude: "A week without a game in the middle will make a big difference. On Wednesday, for example, the athletes' bodies will be prepared for high levels of fatigue. Since that won't happen, their energy reserves will increase."