As new economic bright times shine for Brazil, new sponsors and investments have also shaped strengthening the Classico dos Milhões with bigger payrolls on both sides, once again putting Rio football into the limelight of dominating the Brazilian scene. Vasco dropped to the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in 2008 following a disastrous turn of power in the club with longtime president Eurico Miranda being ousted and Roberto Dinamite stepping in, whilst having lost both games to Flamengo. In the 2009 Carioca State League, the first match between the clubs following Vasco's relegation to Série B, Vasco beat Flamengo 2–0, however the Red-and-blacks went on to clinch the title, the third in a row.
