Fighting for another third state championship, Flamengo debuts tomorrow in the State Championship against Friburguense at Maracanã, certain that this year's competition will be even tougher than in 2008. In their first match, Flamengo faces a team considered small, but one that has the advantage of having been training since last year. A factor that, according to right-back Leonardo Moura, should make the team even more alert for tomorrow's game.

"Our biggest problem is facing a team considered small and with players who dream of being on a big team like ours. That's why we always have to be serious. We can't think about starting with a stumble. It has to be a good debut, even to take some of the weight off last year," the full-back analyzes.

Speaking about the past, Leonardo Moura acknowledges that failing to qualify for this year's Copa Libertadores increases the pressure on the team for the season that begins tomorrow. A convincing victory is, for him, the key to the fans believing in the team's strength.

"This year the pressure will be even greater because we didn't qualify for the Copa Libertadores. Since we maintained our base, they say we're favorites, which also adds to the pressure. We need to understand that the beginning of the season is always the toughest."

The desire to show his worth is so great that the right-back summed up the mindset that dominates the entire group for tomorrow's game.

"When the season is ending, we hope the time passes quickly. But when we're on vacation, we also want to get back to playing soon. It's always good to know the championship is about to start, regardless of who we face."

The team held a recreational training session in the morning in Gávea, and afterward, some players practiced penalty kicks. In the early afternoon, the delegation headed to a hotel in Barra da Tijuca.