It's not easy to debut with only three starters on a team, and it's even more difficult to play the second match of a championship with only two starters on the field. But Flamengo managed to do its part, winning both games so far in the Campeonato Carioca, despite being severely absent. That's why Bruno and Ronaldo Angelim, the only players from the 2009 Brazilian champions who faced Volta Redonda last Wednesday, heaped praise on their teammates, who, despite their lack of cohesion, delivered and secured the victory for Flamengo.

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The greatest example of success was striker Bruno Mezenga. He capitalized on his opportunity to score his first two goals for Flamengo's senior team. Vinícius Pacheco was another standout. But, regardless of individual performances, the team benefited from this, which, according to captain Bruno, further demonstrated its strength.

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"We took to the field with new players. But they got the job done and that's very important," he said.

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Ronaldo Angelim, scorer of the goal that gave Flamengo its sixth national championship last year, was another to highlight the homogeneity of the Flamengo squad. For the number 4, coach Andrade's team doesn't have just 11 starters.

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"Flamengo has a strong squad, with 18, 20 players. It's good for the team to win, even if it's incomplete. Whoever came in performed well," he said.