After the final training session before the Copa do Brasil final, which consisted of a tactical drill at Ninho do Urubu, coach Reinaldo Rueda held a press conference in the Victorino Chermont Press Room. With the certainty of a Maracanã and intense performances from both teams, the coach commented on the first match against Cruzeiro. 

Demonstrating knowledge of the opponent's playing style and strengths, the coach analyzed the Minas Gerais team. "Cruzeiro has a very well-structured group, with experienced players and some youngsters. They're a team that always seeks to play football, very aggressive, and presses hard. They're a team with good spirits on the field, very compact. They have very high-quality players who perform very well with both short passes and counterattacks. A team with very good concepts, a lot of quality, and a very well-coached team," he said.

Despite being a newcomer, his confidence in the group is evident, especially considering the mix of experienced players and talented youngsters. For two clashes involving such extreme emotions and demands, Rueda conveyed his usual calm behind the microphone when discussing his expectations regarding his players' mental performance on the field.

"These are very intense games, lasting 180 minutes. I think all Flamengo players are used to and prepared to face these games with responsibility and intensity. These are extremely important matches for them to make a difference, knowing that we'll face a very mature, tough, well-structured opponent who knows how to play good football. We've discussed these situations and I believe they're ready," said the Colombian.

These characteristics are also crucial for the on-field development of the game plan we've worked on over the past few days. "I think we need to play an intelligent game, with a lot of organization and a very high level of aggression. We know we can't let Cruzeiro think the game, as they do so with great quality. We need to make a good assessment, recognize the game's situations, and act both cautiously when creating plays and applying pressure when we don't have the ball," he added.

The athletes will remain at Ninho do Urubu until they head to Maracanã, the venue for Thursday's match. The first match of the final will kick off at 21:45 p.m.

It's not been easy with Vizeu injured and Paolo out. We held two or three training sessions looking for solutions and saw who responded best. We talked to the players during the training sessions on the field, and I believe we have two very close options, which we'll finalize today. The lineup will still be finalized tomorrow.

Vinicius is a player who, during his formative years, scored many goals and performed well as a center forward, but now he's playing on the wings, with a shift in profile that also strengthens his power. Against Atlético-GO, Paquetá was more of a midfielder, with very special characteristics, such as his game intelligence and his ability to play inside the box, with aggression and strength in the air. They're very different, but both have this attacking vocation and physical power, also due to their youth. We hope that when they get the opportunity, they seize it for the good of the team.

I think it's a great privilege. I feel this way about arriving with a big club. Coach Zé Ricardo has had a long journey with Flamengo to get us here. He did a great job structuring the team. Now we're in a final. The team fought, deserved it, and wants to compete. As a coaching staff, we feel privileged to participate in such an important and historic tournament for Brazilian football.

Every game has a certain level of tension. Concentration is sometimes difficult because today we're analyzing the opponents' situation, internal situations. I think it's the demands of this profession, the responsibility of coaching. But I'll try to overcome it and release it during the game.

The biggest challenge is the match schedule. Since our arrival, we've had to face Botafogo in a tough Copa do Brasil match, then a Brasileirão match, and finally Botafogo in the semifinals. In the first week, we conducted a diagnostic and received a wealth of information from all departments within the club. Flamengo's organization was the key to success: infrastructure, logistics, availability, and the team's receptiveness to the work. The joy and enthusiasm with which they do their jobs. These are two extremes, also very intense with the bureaucratic aspect. 

It's a situation that affects all big teams. Everyone has to live up to these fans. They represent emotion, heart, and passion, so the players need to shield themselves so that this motivation works in our favor. We need to play with great intensity to maintain control of the game, to prevent the opponent from strengthening. But it's easy to say; on the field, you have to control your emotions.

We had the support of the CBF to allow him to return to the Brazilian national team and be back with us quickly. We conducted an evaluation. From a medical standpoint, he didn't play in either game, and we'll monitor his progress to see if we can count on him tomorrow.

It would be a great pleasure. That's what it means to be at Flamengo. It's a great institution, a lifelong honor. But first, we have to play. We know it's a tough 180 minutes. Before thinking individually, we have to think about the whole team, about the importance of this achievement for Flamengo. This is work that has been done at Flamengo for several years, so recognition for our previous work is also important, and we continue to improve to meet the demands of the institution, the fans, and the tournaments.

I think the group's professionalism and the players' maturity were crucial. We have a lot of leadership on the team, including key players with impressive careers. The young players' receptiveness, joy, and mental drive for training. We, as a coaching staff, have had a dynamic relationship since, for example, our time at Atlético Nacional. We had to play many competitions over long distances. What we experienced there was a great learning experience, and it helped us adapt to what's happening at Flamengo.

We've also considered this situation. With Berrío, at Atlético Nacional, he played center forward in one or two games. He has the strength and power. Both starting from the start and through the consequences of the game. We're all in this together to play well.