Flamengo won the Brazilian championship in 2009 precisely when they managed to improve their defense. Interestingly, in the 2-1 victory over Grêmio, which gave the Red-Blacks the title in the final round, both goals were scored by defenders. Ronaldo Angelim, who remains in the starting lineup, and David, who is suspended, will not face Palmeiras next Wednesday in São Paulo.

Banking on the solidity of his defenders, coach Rogério Lourenço is expected to field three defenders in the match against Alviverde. On Monday, Welinton, Ronaldo Angelim, and Álvaro trained with the starting lineup. Angelim believes the team performed well against Grêmio and is confident they will bounce back in the coming rounds.

"We have to correct our mistakes and seek recovery. There's no more room for regret. The team was better organized with three defenders and played a good game despite conceding an equalizer in the second half," explained the number 4.

Álvaro, who returned to the starting lineup in the last round, believes that the team still has a lot to improve in the competition and dreams of six points in the next two games before the Brasileirão break for the World Cup.
 
"We still have a lot to improve in the Brazilian Championship and we need to get as many points as possible before the World Cup break," he added.