Part 3/9:
The state tournaments in Brazil have kicked off, and many high-profile teams—including Flamengo—have had shaky starts. Other teams with a history of success also fell short in their initial outings. For instance, Atlético Paranaense suffered a defeat, and Vasco da Gama managed only a draw. The current state of play raises questions about the value and format of these state championships, which have long been debated among football fans and analysts in Brazil.