The dream of a sixth Brazilian championship is alive and well in Gávea. However, the first goal set by the red-and-blacks with the team's surge in the 2009 Brasileirão was to secure a spot in next year's Copa Libertadores, that is, to finish among the top four in the competition. And this goal could be achieved as early as next Sunday, when coach Andrade's team faces Goiás at the Maracanã.

All it takes is a combination of results. If the Red-Blacks defeat Goiás on Sunday at 19:30 PM, they'll reach 63 points. They'll therefore need to hope that Cruzeiro, sixth with 55 points, doesn't beat Atlético-PR on Saturday at 19:30 PM in Curitiba. Furthermore, the duel between Atlético-MG and Internacional, on Sunday at 19:30 PM at Mineirão Stadium, can't end in a draw. After all, both teams have 56 points, and one of them pulling ahead would practically eliminate the other from the competition.

If this combination comes to fruition, Flamengo will end the round with a spot in the Libertadores guaranteed, and will open up a seven-point lead over fifth place with just two rounds remaining. São Paulo leads the Brazilian Championship with 62 points, while Palmeiras is third with 59. This weekend, the São Paulo team faces Botafogo on Sunday at Engenhão Stadium at 17 p.m., while the green and white team takes the field on Wednesday to face Grêmio at Olímpico Stadium at 21:50 p.m.

In the second half, however, no one is better than Flamengo. After their victory over Náutico this weekend, and Cruzeiro's stumble against Grêmio at Mineirão, Flamengo reached 33 points in 16 games in the second half of the Brazilian Championship and took the lead in the second half on goal difference: 12 to 10.

"Everyone is running for their teammates. Every player that comes on does their job. I hope we can, each time, reach the top of the table to win this title," said the number 2.

Cheering for the rival
Next Sunday, Flamengo will host Goiás at Maracanã Stadium at 19:30 p.m. Two hours beforehand, however, the team will be eyeing a nearby neighborhood, Engenho de Dentro. At Engenhão, Botafogo hosts São Paulo, needing a victory to stave off the specter of relegation and, indirectly, help the Red-Blacks in their title fight against Tricolor Paulista. Former Flamengo player, attacking midfielder Zé Roberto, makes no secret of it: he'll be rooting for his former club.

"We're going to be rooting hard for Botafogo. But we also need to do our part and beat Goiás. I have a lot of friends at Botafogo and I think that, given the situation, the team will play a difficult game and make life difficult for São Paulo," said Zé in an interview with Rádio Brasil.

If Flamengo beats Goiás and Botafogo overcomes São Paulo, the red-and-blacks will take first place in the Brazilian Championship, with 63 points, compared to the São Paulo team's 62, with two rounds remaining. Even a draw in the Engenhão match would leave Mengão in the lead based on tiebreaker criteria. The Gávea team still faces Corinthians in São Paulo and Grêmio at Maracanã Stadium. São Paulo faces Goiás in Goiânia and concludes its campaign against Sport at Morumbi Stadium.

"We know it doesn't just depend on us. São Paulo is two points ahead. I commend this group's work. The hard part isn't reaching the top four, but staying there. If we don't achieve our goal, I already consider this team champions," added goalkeeper Bruno.