In front of 71 thousand fans, Abel Ferreira’s team even played well, but saw the number 9 lose his balance, scoring a goal, assisting De Arrascaeta and suffering a penalty converted by Jorginho
In one of the most anticipated matches of the season, the was defeated by , 3-2, this Sunday (19), at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. Classified as an “early final”, the game was decided in detail. In front of 71 thousand fans, the team played well, but suffered from individual errors and saw Pedro lose his balance by scoring a goal, assisting De Arrascaeta and suffering a penalty converted by Jorginho. The São Paulo team, who scored with Vitor Roque and Gustavo Gómez, complained about Wilton Pereira Sampaio’s refereeing.
The Alviverde team complained about a penalty not being awarded in the first half and asked for an irregularity in the move that led to the penalty for the Cariocas. Full-back Piquerez was sent off after the final whistle for showing outrage at the referee
The result made Flamengo reach the same 61 points as Palmeiras, which remains in the lead according to the tiebreaker criteria (19 wins to 18). It is worth mentioning that the duo still has one game less in relation to the number of rounds due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Now, both teams turn their attention to the Copa Libertadores semi-finals in the middle of the week. On Wednesday, Flamengo takes to the Maracanã lawn again to face Racing in the first leg. On Thursday, Palmeiras will play at the altitude of Quito, against LDU, in the first match with the Ecuadorians for a place in the decision.
As expected, the match started with temperatures soaring. Pushing, tough competition for the ball and complaints from both teams raised the heat in a match that had already started hot in the days leading up to the clash. Exchanges of barbs between managers and refereeing controversies set the tone during the week.
Even playing at Maracanã, Palmeiras adopted a leading stance and took control of the match from the first minutes. The São Paulo team put pressure on the opponent’s ball and explored aerial plays – the Palmeiras team complained a lot about a penalty after Jorginho moved Gómez with his arms inside the area. But as details make the difference in matches of this size, it was Flamengo who came out ahead. Pedro turned on Bruno Fuchs’ marking and left De Arrascaeta face to face with debutant Carlos Miguel, who could do nothing to prevent the red-black goal, in the 9th minute.
Flamengo’s goal was a reflection of what the Rio team’s last matches have been like. Despite not delivering exuberant performances, the team stands out for the vast technical quality of a star-studded cast. Palmeiras, on the other hand, demonstrated an attitude typical of a team that got used to always being “in the heads” and was not shaken after coming up behind on the scoreboard. Abel Ferreira’s team maintained the momentum and took advantage of the moment when their rival was disoriented by the injury of defender Léo Ortiz and equalized with Vitor Roque, with a header, in the 24th minute.
The final stretch of the initial stage was marked by a controversial move. Fuchs blocked Pedro inside the area and referee Wilton Pereira Sampaio awarded a penalty. Palmeiras complained about a possible foul by the attacker on the defender moments before – and also by Danilo on top of Vitor Roque -, but the penalty was confirmed and Jorginho moved Carlos Miguel to put Flamengo ahead again, in the 41st minute.
Palmeiras were still in position when they were punished for yet another individual error. Aníbal Moreno dozed off and was disarmed by Pedro near the penalty area. The ball fell to De Arrascaeta, who left his teammate in good condition to score the Cariocas’ third, in the 45th minute.
The rain, which had not let up in Rio in recent days, intensified after the break. Palmeiras maintained their initial momentum, continued going forward and almost lost it when Vitor Roque hit the post after a blocked shot. Felipe Anderson was also scared with a shot at the edge of the area after a great plot by Abel’s team on the right.
Given the heavy sequence that the calendar imposes, the coaches resorted to the benches after 15 minutes of the second half. Coach Filipe Luís gained strength and speed with the additions of Plata and Carrascal, ideal for counterattacking scenarios. Abel oxygenated Palmeiras with Allan, Sosa and Emi Martínez, but the São Paulo team found it difficult to break through the red and black blockade.
Abel Ferreira went all or nothing and changed the scheme with the addition of Facundo Torres and Sosa, putting Palmeiras ahead. The strategy took time to take effect and Flamengo was dangerous in counterattacks. In the 48th minute, Gustavo Gómez launched himself into the area and, almost like a striker, reduced the score.
TECHNICAL SHEET
FLAMENGO 3 X 2 PALMEIRAS
FLAMENGO – Rossi; Emerson Royal, Léo Ortiz (Danilo), Léo Pereira and Alex Sandro; Pulgar (Saúl Ñíguez), Jorginho and De Arrascaeta (Plata); Luiz Araújo, Samuel Lino (Carrascal) and Pedro (Bruno Henrique). Coach: Filipe Luís.
PALMEIRAS – Carlos Miguel; Khellven (Facundo Torres), Bruno Fuchs, Gustavo Gómez and Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno (Emiliano Martínez), Andreas Pereira (Raphael Veiga), Maurício (Allan) and Felipe Anderson (Sosa); Flaco López and Vitor Roque. Coach: Abel Ferreira.
GOALS – Arrascaeta, at 9, Vitor Roque, at 24, Jorginho, at 41, and Pedro, at 45 minutes of the first half; Gustavo Gómez, at 48 of the second.
YELLOW CARDS – Erick Pulgar, Alex Sandro and Carrascal (Flamengo); Maurício and Gómez (Palmeiras).
RED CARD – Piquerez (Palmeiras).
REFEREE – Wilton Pereira Sampaio (Fifa/GO).
AUDIENCE – 71,651 present.
INCOME – R$5,983,920.00.
LOCATION – Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
Published by Fernando Dias
