Joel Santana's training session on Wednesday afternoon at Granja Comary in Teresópolis was practically a 'tactical training session'. The session began as a training session between starters and reserves, but the coach constantly interrupted and made adjustments, paying special attention to the defensive system during set pieces.

The starters won the move 1-0, with a goal from Argentine striker Maxi, who played alongside Souza the entire time. Joel Santana, however, said he hasn't yet decided which of the two forwards will start.

"The important thing today is that I have two high-quality players to choose who will start the match. The rest of the team is confirmed, but I will only resolve this doubt in attack just before the match starts."

Aware that the team needs to maintain its winning streak playing at home - it beat Náutico and Fluminense in the two most recent matches played at Maracanã - the coach once again asked for support from the fans and promised to demand from his players a performance that lives up to what the fans expect.

"I know it's going to be a tense game, marked by anxiety, but Flamengo needs the points. For that, I continue to count on our fans. We need to have the dignity to deliver a performance marked by dedication and the pursuit of victory every minute. It's this kind of commitment that the fans who go to the field expect to see," he commented.