"Of course I won't be participating in the debut. Anyone who understands football knows I shouldn't play. I don't know when I'll be on the field. Let me train. I won't take a shot without being sure I'll hit it." The statements by Serbian Petkovic, who returned to Flamengo last Sunday, have encouraged his potential replacements, such as attacking midfielder Vinícius Pacheco. A product of Gávea, he was loaned to several clubs before returning to his hometown this season, and now he's looking to establish himself with the red-and-black jersey.

\

Coach Andrade has already announced that he is searching for an ideal replacement for Petkovic, who is 38 years old and unlikely to be able to play in all of the Rubro-Negro's games this season. He is already out of the Carioca opener, so Vinícius wants to show his new manager his skills by next Sunday, January 17th, to earn an opportunity to showcase his talent.

\

"We know that Pet still needs to recover physically. The coach has already said that I and two others will be able to play," said Vinícius, referring to Gil and Erick Flores.

\

Vinícius Pacheco can also play up front. He played this role during his prime at the club in 2006, when he was a starter for the entire first half of the year.

"There was a change of coach, a change in philosophy at the club. Little by little, I lost my place in the group," Vinícius admitted, regarding the replacement of Waldemar Lemos by Ney Franco. "Now it's time to start all over again," he concluded.