The three-time Rio de Janeiro champion's first step in its quest for a fourth consecutive title isn't the only attraction for Flamengo fans at Maracanã this Sunday. Before coach Andrade's team debuts in the Rio de Janeiro State Championship at 17 p.m. against Duque de Caxias in the preliminary match, which kicks off at 14:45 p.m., the youngsters from Ninho do Urubu are expected to shine. Flamengo's under-20 team faces Caxias in its first match in the Rio de Janeiro State Championship.

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This Saturday, coach Armênio Moura led his team's final training session at the Flamengo Training Center in Vargem Grande before the State Championship kicks off. The Flamengo lineup for the match against Caxias has already been decided, and it's slightly different from the team that participated in the 41st edition of the São Paulo Junior Cup earlier this year. The team will be reinforced by goalkeeper Marcelo Carné and midfielder Saba, who completed preseason training with the senior team, as well as forward Diego Maurício and full-back Jorbison, who played in an international tournament for the Brazilian U-20 team.

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Missing Rio and the Maracanã, Marcelo is excited for his debut and won't settle for anything less than the Rio title, which hasn't come to Gávea since 2007: "It's been a long time since I played at the Maracanã, and without a doubt, playing there is already a great boost for me. Now I'm part of the professional squad, I train there, but I'll always go down to play in the juniors. And this year, even if I have to play as a striker, I really want this title. There's no better way to climb the ladder than by winning titles."

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Marcelo Carné is confirmed in the starting eleven for Sunday's match. Alex, Lucas Galdino, Michel Pereira, and Jorbison; Luis Antônio, João Vitor, Saba, and Dieguinho; Juninho and Diego Maurício complete the lineup. Saba, who, like Marcelo, was with the first team in the first few days of the year, hopes to take advantage of the training sessions with the senior team to perform even better in youth matches.

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"Without a doubt, the pace is very different. There's a big difference between the youth team and the youth team, and so if we can match our physicality to the senior team, we'll be flying into the juniors. That's really important," he concluded.