Coach Joel Santana organized the first tactical training session of the 2008 season. The players performed an attack-versus-defense drill on a reduced-size field. Only nine outfield players made up the teams.

Training began with the reserve team, made up of Luizinho, Rodrigo, Egídio, Jônatas, Colace, Léo Medeiros, Marcinho, Éder and Obina, attacking the starting team, which was selected by coach Joel Santana with Bruno, Léo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Jaílton, Cristian, Ibson, Toró and Renato Augusto.

Halfway through training, Joel switched roles, with the starting lineup going on the attack. Souza was included in the starting lineup.

After training, the red-black commander Joel Santana commented on the maintenance of last year's starters.

"It wouldn't be fair for me to take out the players who fought hard for Flamengo last year in the first training session of the year. The important thing is that the club has great players, and everyone here is capable of wearing this jersey."