Having finished preparing at the training center before training this Saturday (22), which will take place on the stage of next Sunday's big game, coach Zé Ricardo spoke to the press. In the chat, he talked about the week leading up to the long-awaited return to the classic, training and shared memories of Maracanã.

Check out the main excerpts from the press conference:

Team that will enter the field on Sunday

We already have the team, but I prefer to announce it just moments before the match, as we believe it could be an important factor to surprise the opponent.

New call-up for Alex Muralha

When I heard the news, he had already left the field, and I couldn't speak to him. I'll congratulate him as soon as I see him. He's an athlete who's been incredibly dedicated. We'll lose him and Guerrero for the match against América-MG, as they're both on international duty, but that's not a big deal. Paulo Victor performed well in Alex's absence, as did Damião and Vizeu in Paolo's.

Confrontation against Corinthians

Our opponent is on a good run in the competition. The Maracanã stadium will serve as motivation, and our team will seek to harness all the energy coming from the stands. In this match, we need to minimize our mistakes and maximize our strengths. Our focus is to play a game that will give us the chance to win the three points. Corinthians has a strong, highly skilled squad, and we'll need to give our best to win.

Hard work during the week

Having a full week to work is always good for testing options and getting players back on their feet. Ideally, we should have this constantly to improve the quality of our game. Certainly, all teams' football would improve this way.

Return of the Most Beloved to Maracanã

A while ago, shortly after taking over the team, I mentioned that my dream was to be at the Maracanã with the team fighting for the title in the final stretch. At the time, I was only talking about finishing in the top four. Right now, we have a ranking that allows us to dream of even greater things. The support of the nation will be crucial. We hope the Maracanã is packed and that the fans support us from start to finish. We'll need all these voices on our side.

Team improvements

In terms of tactical structure, I don't think the changes need to be too big, because within a defined playing platform, it takes time to recognize behaviors and movements, something that should be done automatically. I think we need to focus more, rest as much as possible, and train enough, because all teams are in the final stages of conditioning.

Most memorable match as a fan

I remember a Flamengo vs. Santa Cruz match that ended in a 3-1 victory and featured a stunning free kick by Zico. He fired a superb free kick into the corner of the net, but goalkeeper Luis Carlos, if I'm not mistaken, stepped to his left and couldn't quite get it. The ball lost its weight and went into the top corner. My brother and I waited for the Bellini gate to open so we could watch the second half. The Maracanã was packed, and it was a truly memorable goal for me.