Flamengo, the last champion of the Brazilian Cup, had hope to take the lead, but now has 18 points, four behind leader Palmeiras; Botafogo, current Brazilian champion, has 12 points
The great expectation around the classic that would involve two great champions, ended up being frustrating with the goalless draw between and, this Sunday (18), in Maracanã, for the ninth round of the Brazilian Championship. The confrontation was characterized by balance, low technical level and was marked by few submissions.
Flamengo, the last champion of the Brazilian Cup, had hope to take the lead, but now has 18 points, four behind leader Palmeiras who won 2-1 Red Bull Bragantino, in Bragança Paulista (SP). Botafogo, current Brazilian champion, has 12 points. The curious thing is that this classic has a history of few draws. The last equal result between rivals occurred 25 games. This season, for example, Flamengo had won twice. He made 3-1 in conquering the Brazil Super Cup and 1-0 in the Guanabara Cup.
The tactical fight began even before the bump rolled, caused by low -minute casualties. In Flamengo, the Arrascaeta midfielder was vetoed by physical wear. Saving his top scorer, it would be “a bitter remedy,” according to coach Felipe Luís. As he would no longer have Gerson, the coach, the coach set a square in the midfield with two steering wheels-Evertton Araújo and La Cruz-and two socks-Luiz Araújo and Everton Cebolinha. Even involuntarily, the flamenco formation did not escape his offensive vocation with Bruno Henrique and Pedro, back after two games, in the attack.
At Botafogo, coach Renato Paiva thought not to mess with the team, but was without Arthur, one of his main highlights in the last games, who felt a muscle injury on Saturday and was vetoed. The option was the entrance of the Allan steering wheel, also forming a quartet in the midfield, because Cuiabano entered as a fake left tip. In the attack: Igor Jesus and Rwan Cruz.
This equality in the tactical schemes-4-4-2-resulted in a balanced game in the first half, despite greater possession of Flamengo. The fans saw few dangerous finishes, the rigor one on each side. On 21 minutes, Botafogo defender Jair lost the ball in the area and, while complaining of a foul, saw the ball left over to Luiz Araújo’s strong kick, who hit John’s chest and went sideways. The next minute, Cuiabano appeared on the left side of the area and risked a three -fingered kick, the popular trivela. The ball crossed the area and left the side of the Rossi left post, which still jumped and did not hit the ball.
The scenario did not change at the beginning of the second half. At 15 minutes, Filipe Luís made two exchanges in Flamengo, with the entrances of Juninho and Matheus Gonçalves in the vacancies of Pedro and Bruno Henrique, respectively. Shortly thereafter, from La Cruz sat down and went out to the entrance of Danilo, who became a defender for the advance of Leo Ortiz.
But who almost opened the scoring was Botafogo, in a Marlon kick, on the line of the area, after sugarcane from Cuiabano. The ball came out strong and Rossi managed to spread over the crossbar on 19 minutes. A great defense. The game was interrupted after 23 minutes because the players complained of pepper spray effects, which would be citizen from outside the lawn. The stop was quick, only three minutes.
Next Games
After that, no one else had a chance to goal, which makes clear the weight of disappointment for this classic. In the 10th round of Brasileirão, Flamengo will play an important game against Palmeiras, on Sunday (25), in São Paulo. But midweek, Wednesday, plays as a principal against Botafogo-PB for the back of the third phase. The Rio team has already won outside 1-0 and now only needs a draw.
Botafogo will also play to confirm their place against capital-DF, away from home, but with wide advantage because they thrashed 4-0 in Rio, and now you can lose even three goals difference. In Brasileirão only returns to the field on June 1st against Santos, in Vila Belmiro. This break is generated by the table adjustment made with the clubs that will compete in the Club World Cup in the United States.
*With information from Estadão Content
Posted by Carolina Ferreira
