Flamengo's youth team will take the field this Saturday at 16 p.m., knowing exactly what they'll need to do to qualify for the next stage of the 41st edition of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup. The red-and-blacks face home team Taubaté, needing a win by any means necessary to secure at least second place in Group S. However, in the preliminary match at 14 p.m., Paulista and Shallon face off. Flamengo will be hoping for a draw, or a narrow victory for the São Paulo team, which leads the table on goal difference with eight. The team from Gávea has three.

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In the first round, Taubaté was crushed by Paulista, 8-0, while Flamengo defeated Shallon 3-0. Therefore, the goal difference between the two teams is five, and it is this difference that the red-and-black team will have to make up if Paulista beats Shallon, a result that all experts consider the most likely, to take the lead in the group. Another possibility is that Flamengo could reach seven points by winning the game against Taubaté and qualify as one of the nine best second-place teams from the first phase.

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"We can't be nervous or anxious. We'll go calmly, try to score the first goal, and then see if the goals come naturally. We need the win first, then we'll think about goal difference. The important thing is that we qualify," analyzed captain Christianno.

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Coach Armênio Moura will not make any changes to his lineup for this Saturday's game. The confirmed lineup includes Marcello Vidotti, Alex, Michel Pereira, Christianno, and Anderson; Maicon, Lorran, João Vitor, and Guilherme; Eliabe and Dudu.