If Denis Marques and Gil's mission up front isn't easy, given the responsibility of replacing Adriano and Vagner Love, Marcelo Lomba will also have a difficult task in goal this Sunday. He starts in place of captain Bruno, one of the most important players in this red-and-black squad.

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A backup goalkeeper doesn't usually get many opportunities during the season. For Lomba, however, 2010 is already proving to be unusual. This will be his second game as a starter. The first was in the Copa Libertadores opener, when Bruno felt unwell on the eve of the match and was ruled out by the medical department.

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"I'm much calmer than in the last game, when I came on as a surprise. But this match I need even more attention. Our team is lacking rhythm and can't lose concentration," he said.

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Although this match is considered easy by many fans, Lomba guarantees that the team cannot lose concentration and must do everything possible to leave Moça Bonita with the victory.

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"Given Flamengo's greatness, every game is a decisive one. In a Libertadores match, concentration is enormous. However, in a match against a more modest opponent, we run the risk of losing focus," he observed.

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If it's up to the goalkeeper, his teammates won't miss Bruno much back there. After all, they're quite similar in one way: they talk all the time.

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"I'm going to give a lot of guidance back there. They might even get mad at me because I talk so much. But back there, any second of inattention results in a goal," he concluded.