Fluminense faces Madureira with starters, and Diniz starts the dispute for places in the lineup

After starters and reserves have the chance to enter the field in different rounds of the Guanabara Cup, the internal competition begins. This Sunday, against Madureira, at 6 pm (Brasília time), in Cariacica, Espírito Santo, Fluminense will again use maximum force with a clear message to the athletes: the dispute for positions in the tricolor team is open. After all, it is not enough just to speed up physical preparation, but also to reach the best technical level.

Yago Felipe, for example, is one of the names that will have to run double to stay in the starting lineup. Despite having closed 2022 in the starting lineup, it was only possible because Paulo Henrique Ganso was suspended by the third yellow card. He gets another chance in 2023, but sees competitors wanting his place.

And both are reinforcements. Lima, scorer of the goal against Nova Iguaçu, manages to perform similar tactical functions to Yago and is one of those who could soon become a starter. The expectation, if coach Fernando Diniz wanted to change the tactical choice, is that Keno also becomes a starter at some point. Both had good performances with the reserve team and entering the second half in the debut, when the starters acted.

An unknown is being the left-back. Caio Paulista spent a good part of the previous season as a starter in the position, despite being improvised. In 2023, Calegari started with the vacancy. The tendency was for Jorge to become the owner of the position over the course of the games, but his performance against Nova Iguaçu did not fill the eyes.

Finally, Alan’s good performances have also pleased the coaching staff. It will be difficult for him to win Germán Cano’s place, but nothing prevents him from teaming up with the Argentine striker at certain times. Everything depends on Fernando Diniz.

After six years, Fluminense returns to Cariacica. The last match was in 2017, when they drew 1-1 with Flamengo, also for the Carioca Championship. The last victory took place in 2016, a score of 1 to 0 against América-MG, for the Brazilian Championship.