With every passing minute, Leandro Amaral is getting closer to returning to professional football. After more than a year out due to injury, the 33-year-old striker is expected to make his Flamengo debut next Saturday (August 14.08) against Ceará at the Maracanã stadium. He's confident he can help the red-and-black team achieve victories and hopes to score the goals the fans have been clamoring for.

"I'm very happy and confident that I can play a good game. Especially in front of our fans and on a field where we're used to playing. I've always thought about having another chance to play. It's come up, and I'm happy and motivated for this match," he said.

Anxiously, he's certain he'll be overcome with emotion and reminisce about all the difficult moments he endured last season the moment he steps onto the Maracanã pitch. He's also banking on the positive energy he'll feel from his family and all the red-and-black fans.

"Everyone is very excited and there will be a huge crowd on Saturday. When I step onto the field, that movie will certainly play in my head," said the striker, who explained how he should play in Rogério Lourenço's system, which has given him and Renato complete freedom to ask to be substituted if they are not physically fit.

"We have to move around. I'll try to drop down the wings a lot. Experience counts a lot at this point. Rogério gave us freedom, and that's important. If we feel like it, we have to ask to leave, so as not to jeopardize the team's future," he concluded.

Leandro Amaral and Flamengo return to training this Thursday (12.08), at Ninho do Urubu, at 15 pm. Coach Rogério Lourenço should lead another collective training session and the tendency is that the lineup for this Wednesday's activity, with Marcelo Lomba, Leo Moura, Welinton, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Correa, Willians, Renato and Petkovic; Leandro Amaral and Val Baiano will be maintained.

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