Out since injuring his right hamstring against Santos in a match still part of the first round of the Brazilian Championship, Paolo Guerrero underwent 20 days of intensive treatment to play in tonight's match. "I worked really hard physically all day. I also trained on Saturday and Sunday. I was evaluated on those days. The physiotherapists asked me if I was in pain or not, and I gave them that feedback. I was able to recover quickly," said the star player.

In just over two years at the club, the number 9 has demonstrated the usual qualities of a great center forward. His skills range from a goalscoring nature to a more "waiter" side of the game, serving his teammates and participating intensely in the build-up play, a trait widely praised by both the players who play alongside him at Mais Querido and those who defend the Peruvian national team alongside him.

However, this year it was his goals that drew the most attention. Guerrero surpassed his career best in the match that secured the red-and-black team's qualification for the Copa do Brasil semifinals. After a 2-0 victory in the first leg, played at Ilha do Urubu, the center forward scored the second goal in the return leg, at Vila Belmiro, which sealed the spot. He has scored 19 goals so far this season, surpassing the 18 he scored while playing for Corinthians in 2013.

And the Peruvian's ambition isn't limited to personal success. After Wednesday's triumph, Flamengo will be even more motivated to fight for all its goals this season. "It's a victory for a team intent on winning more trophies this year. We'll fight until the last championship, like the Brazilian Championship, which we can't ignore, as well as the Primeira Liga and the Sudamericana. We aim to win many championships, and thank God we took a very important step in the Copa do Brasil," he analyzed.

Despite the outstanding performance of his substitutes in the matches he missed, his absence was felt. And in tonight's match, the Peruvian showed why. The Gávea player, number 9, helped Flamengo secure a spot in the Copa do Brasil final with another performance that lives up to the star's reputation. Guerrero displayed the football the nation is accustomed to seeing and thanked them. "They give me this energy, this strength to keep fighting," he concluded.

In the final, the challenge will be against Cruzeiro, in a repeat of the 2003 final. May the outcome be different this time and Guerrero lift another trophy wearing the Sacred Mantle.