We miss our Rio fans deeply, both on our part and theirs. The game is incredibly important, but it's not decisive. It's important for the mathematical aspect and for the confidence factor, to continue on our upward path. If the points gap between the teams were very large, the match might have been decisive, but I don't see it that way because, whether one of the teams wins the match or ends in a draw, there are still 13 rounds to go. We need to take it game by game. 

The fans' enthusiasm is understandable. The players have been regaining their confidence with each match, demonstrating a fighting spirit and competitiveness. That's what the fans expect: to see the players fighting for every play. I'm thrilled by the fans' unconditional support. It will be another incentive for us to put on a great performance tomorrow.

Éverton returns to the team. We were concerned about his fitness. He's a player who clocks a lot of mileage in every match, and we preferred to rest him. If necessary, he could have come on during the match against Vitória, but Fernandinho was so capable that we opted to bring on Alan Patrick later. He's recovered and ready to play.

Guerrero reported to the Peruvian national team after the match against Chapecoense, returned the day before the match against Vitória, and we opted not to start him on that occasion, but he could have played if we needed him. Fortunately, the game didn't play out that way. Today we learned that he had gastroenteritis last night. He's in the squad for tomorrow's game, but he probably won't start.

He's the most capable striker in Brazilian football. I think that makes a difference. However, Cuca has Rafael Marques, Lucas Barrios, and Érik at his disposal, all players with the potential to decide a match. We know Gabriel is missing from Palmeiras, but I don't think we'll have that much of an advantage because their squad is very strong and has capable replacements.

We'll approach this as a match that could give us immense confidence if we win, but the important thing is to maintain our performance and apply what we prepared during training, what we're building as a game structure. We need to focus on this so we don't jeopardize ourselves. Palmeiras is a very strong team, with the best attack in the competition and excellent set pieces. It's crucial that we pay attention to this. If we get a positive result there, our confidence will certainly increase.

I think it's difficult to make a prediction. Yesterday, I watched on TV how everyone was talking about Atlético-MG, Palmeiras, and Flamengo as title contenders. However, there are other clubs with the potential to challenge for the top spot. Fluminense, for example, showed great strength in the match against Atlético-MG, especially in the second half. They're only three points out of the top four. I think it's still too early to predict a battle between just one, two, or three teams.

I'm envisioning a very intense match, with both teams looking to dominate space and defend strongly. When both teams take the field with this game plan, matches end up being decided by the details. Our squad is maturing with each passing moment. The struggles to recover during performances have been significantly decreasing. We've been working primarily on the players' mental health so we can better absorb moments of disadvantage, because in a tight match with two strong teams like these, both teams will have opportunities throughout the game. Our focus is to minimize our mistakes and capitalize on the chances we have.

As soon as I learned the match would be at Pacaembu, a movie played in my head. When the year began, if someone had told me I'd be sitting here, leading the professional team after winning the Copinha, I might not have believed it. This is the result of a lot of work. The group that competed with us in that competition was sensational, and I find similarities with the squad we have in the professional team today, because the atmosphere among the athletes and the coaching staff was fantastic. It was unforgettable. I consider that title the greatest achievement I've been a part of to date. Being where I am today is a great honor and a huge responsibility. I work hard to live up to that and live up to the trust placed in me.

Balance is being able to reach extremes without actually going overboard. It's difficult for anyone, and we've been working on it daily, in team talks, post-game sessions, and especially on the field. We have athletes who have experienced this once or twice, and more experienced athletes who have played in Europe, for the Brazilian national team. Players who can talk to the younger players. But it's impressive how everyone is understanding that this is a moment we must nurture, but without excessive euphoria so as not to get in our own way.

I think trust and respect come day to day. You need to show that you're following along, be meticulous in every aspect. Football, like all high-performance sports, demands this. You always need to respect the athletes, engage in a lot of dialogue, but always demonstrate and position yourself regarding a path. I appreciate the compliments, as having everyone's trust is very important for those just starting out. They are the protagonists, and we simply show them the way. This way, we build maximum respect while remaining true to our work. "Trainability," for me, is the most important thing. An athlete can't perform at a level they don't have. This way, we've managed to recognize some players who were at a low level and are now performing much better, which is important for the club. I'm happy we were able to establish this relationship of trust.

It's truly impressive. It's almost hair-raising. Flamengo's fans are fantastic, they're incredibly supportive, and at this point, we couldn't have expected a different reaction from them. I hope this pushes us toward a great game and a good win tomorrow.