Between two finals, Flamengo returns to the field this Saturday at Ilha do Urubu, at 19 p.m., to face Avaí in the 25th round of the Brazilian Championship. Currently in fifth place, the "Mais Querido" hosts the Florianópolis team aiming for a return to the top four on the eve of the Copa do Brasil final. But even with the Cruzeiro game in mind next Wednesday at Mineirão, Flamengo refused to let Avaí take a back seat. Staying in the top tier is crucial at the moment, and the red-and-black team will be looking for a home win, which could even earn them third place if Santos and Palmeiras are defeated. 

In the traditional post-training press conference held this Friday at CT George Helal, attacking midfielder Everton Ribeiro spoke about Saturday's match and the constant changes in the team, due to the calendars and simultaneous competitions. 

"If the coach decides to rotate the squad, it will be good to be able to rotate the group as well. We often talk about Flamengo having a strong group. They may lack a bit of chemistry, but the quality is there. If a team that hasn't been playing well plays, it will be due to the desire and experience of the players. The most important game now is against Avaí. We know we have the final on Wednesday, but beating Avaí is important to put us in a good position in the table."

Check out more of the interview here. 

This Saturday's match could break the tie in the teams' winning streak. Flamengo and Avaí have faced each other 10 times in the Brazilian Championship. Each team has won three and drawn four. The first meeting in the competition was in 1974, with Flamengo winning 1-0, with a goal scored by Zico. 

. Of the 110 goals scored by Flamengo in the 2017 season, 22 were headers, seven were penalties (Everton Ribeiro(3); Diego(2); Guerrero(2)) and four were free kicks (Guerrero(2), Diego, Lucas Paquetá).

With his goal last Wednesday against Chapecoense, midfielder Willian Arão reached his career-best mark in a single season: eight. In 2016, Arão had achieved the same mark, but in 64 games. This year, he reached his eighth goal in 49 matches, 15 fewer. Of the 49 matches he played, the midfielder started 45 times. 

The athletes who have played the most for Flamengo this season are Rever and Willian Arão (49 games), followed by Marcio Araújo (47), Pará (46) and Everton (43). 

Flamengo and Avaí have only one goalless draw in their history. The only 0-0 draw occurred eight years ago, on May 8, 16, at the Maracanã, in a match valid for the Brazilian Serie A.

The last meeting between the two teams, in the first round of the Brasileirão, in Florianópolis, ended 1-1, with Leandro Damião scoring the red-and-black goal. Relive the action through the lens of Fla TV.

Rubro-negro fans can buy tickets at the stores and addresses indicated on the website. https://www.nrnoficial.com.br/site/ingresso/jogos

Tickets are still available for the South, East and West sectors. 

Flamengo is offering another EXCLUSIVE benefit to its fan club members. The club will sell round-trip transportation passes to matches at Ilha do Urubu for R$40. http://flamengo.com.br/onibus

Flamengo vs. Avaí will be broadcast exclusively on Canal Premiere nationwide. Fan club members can enjoy more Flamengo on match day: discounts on Sky packages with pay-per-view and beer to watch on TV, and perks at official stores to wear the jersey! Click and feel the pride of being a fan club member. https://www.nrnoficial.com.br/site/?utm_source=Portal&utm_medium=Noticia&utm_campaign=maisflamengosempre

You can also follow the live action on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #FLAxAVA. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Snapchat (cr_flamengo). FlaTV also brings exclusive behind-the-scenes and match footage to the Flamengo Nation. Subscribe in one click—it's free!