Now it's time to decide. The Copa do Brasil semifinal is underway, and Flamengo kicks off its match against Botafogo this Wednesday at the Engenhão stadium. Kickoff for the first leg is at 21:45 p.m. The return leg will be next Wednesday (23) at the Maracanã stadium. Even though the match will be in Rio de Janeiro, the away goals rule still applies, as the matches will be played in different stadiums.  

Flamengo is bringing some new players. Not to the team, but to the bench. This will be Reinaldo Rueda's first match in charge. The last training session was closed, but the coach had already been studying the squad to select his starting 11, without Everton Ribeiro, Rhodolfo, Diego Alves, and Geuvânio, who are not registered for the competition. Rueda, on the other hand, will have Diego and Everton back. Guerrero, recovering, will not play in the match. 

"Botafogo has our full respect. They're a great team, and they'll be playing at home. Now, the quality of our squad, what we've already achieved together, and the track record of each player means that this doesn't need any comment and clears up any doubts. Defeats and disappointments are part of any team's history, but here we're talking about men with character and determination, so we'll do our best. We're coming to face Botafogo extremely motivated. We'll take the field to put into practice everything we know and can do," he commented. See more of the star's press conference. here. 

As a regional classic, Flamengo and Botafogo have already decided several titles in their history, as well as knockout matches. In the Campeonato Carioca, there have been five finals, with Flamengo winning three titles. These victories came consecutively, from 2007-08-09, diluting the rival's advantage in the competition. 

In national competitions, the teams have met twice in decisive matches. The most important was in 1992, in the Brazilian Championship final. Flamengo won the first leg 3-0 and the second leg ended in a 2-2 draw, earning the Mais Querido its fifth Brazilian championship title. In 2013, Flamengo and Botafogo faced off in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the return leg was a massacre. Hernane Brocador scored a hat trick in the 4-0 rout that secured a spot in the semifinals (Leonardo Moura scored the fourth goal from the penalty spot). 

In head-to-head matches, Flamengo has the upper hand in head-to-head records across all competitions. Overall, there have been 369 matches, with 132 Flamengo wins, 113 losses, and 124 draws. At Engenhão Stadium, the venue for Wednesday's match, there have been 13 matches, with four Flamengo wins, one loss, and eight draws. Flamengo hasn't lost to Botafogo since March 2015. Since then, Flamengo has won two and drawn four. 

Flamengo had 3.800 tickets available. All were sold on Tuesday. There will be no on-site ticket sales. 

The match will be broadcast by TV Globo for RJ, SC, PR, SP, MG (Juiz de Fora, Uberlândia, Ituiutaba and Uberaba), ES, GO, TO, MS, MT, BA, SE, AL, PE, PB, RN, CE, PI, MA, PA, AM, RO, AC, RR, AP and DF. SporTV and PFCInternacional will also broadcast. 

You can also follow the real-time action on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #BOTxFLA. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like our page on Facebook and follow us on Snapchat (cr_flamengo). FlaTV also brings exclusive behind-the-scenes and match footage to the Red-Black Nation. Sign up with one click, it's free!