 As one of Brazil's largest clubs, Flamengo's season always begins with high expectations from supporters and media.The club's first test is the traditional Campeonato Carioca – the Rio de Janeiro State league – contested among clubs in the top flight of the FERJ's league (separate from the national league pyramid).The most important matches in the state are between the “big 4” clubs in the city of Rio – Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama, and Botafogo.