Atlético confirmed this Saturday (31) the reaction in the Campeonato Mineiro. In turn, the alternative team led by Jorge Sampaoli defeated Pouso Alegre 3-1, at the Manduzão stadium, and managed to gain an important breather in the competition. The winning goals in Sul de Minas were scored by Reinier, Tomás Cuello and Ruan; Tota did it for the home team.
With the result, Alvinegro reached 10 points and now has one less than URT, leader of Group A. The Patos de Minas team faces América, in Belo Horizonte. The Democrat, who was second, with 7 points, receives the North.
Galo returns to the field next Wednesday (4) and faces Red Bull Bragantino away from home. The match in Bragança Paulista, valid for the second round of the Brazilian Championship, is scheduled for 7pm (Brasília time), at the Cícero de Souza Marques stadium.
Alternative time
As expected, Sampaoli chose to preserve some of the starters for the clash in the South of Minas, such as Junior Alonso, Renan Lodi, Bernard, Dudu and Hulk. The big news was the return of right-back Angel Preciado, who has recovered from an ankle sprain.
Amazing taboo
Atlético went to Pouso Alegre with a beautiful taboo in their luggage. Before this weekend’s clash, the team from the capital boasted the feat of never having lost to Dragão at the Manduzão Stadium.
In general retrospect, Alvinegro had not lost to the home team for over 30 years.
Until then, there were six confrontations, three at the Sul de Minas stadium. The black and white team won one match and drew two others. Pouso Alegre’s only victory came 36 years ago, on March 25, 1990. On that occasion, the country team beat Galo 2-1 at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte.
Pouso Alegre spent more than 20 years without competing in official competitions and faced Atlético again in 2021. Since then, the teams had faced each other three times. There were two wins for Atlético and one draw.
First half
The first half at Manduzão was filled with athletic pressure, but joy for the home team. Despite the pressure from Galo, they were better during most of the game and with good opportunities created to find the net, with Cuello, Alexander and Gustavo Scarpa, but it was Dragão who scored.
In the 21st minute of the ball rolling, midfielder Gabriel Tota “bent” the Ecuadorian Preçado, hit the ball and scored another great goal against Mineiro. It is worth remembering that, at Mineirão, he had scored another goal in the confrontation against Cruzeiro.
Important casualty
Before the break, Atlético had an important loss. Midfielder Alexander, after suffering a blow, left the field and had to be replaced by Victor Hugo. The suspicion is that he had a knee sprain. The midfielder will be re-evaluated when the squad is re-presented next Monday (2).
Rooster turns in eight minutes
And Atlético didn’t need long to turn the score around. It was eight minutes. At five, Gustavo Scarpa crossed into the area and Reinier, with a header, left everything the same. In the next move, came the most curious move of the match. At speed, Galo reached the turnaround, again with Reinier. However, the assistant pointed out the impediment.
The turning point came at 8, with Tomás Cuello. The Argentine played with Reinier, advanced down the left side and shot hard. The ball deflected and ended up in the back of the goal.
Downtown in Pousão
At 14 minutes, it was Pouso Alegre’s turn to lose an important piece. Due to injury, goalkeeper Anderson had to be replaced. He left the field in a lot of pain.
Rooster debutant
In the 25th minute, Ecuadorian Alan Minda finally made his debut for Galo. Recently hired by Alvinegro, he was called in place of Cuello.
Goal to close the account
In the 42nd minute, defender Ruan Tressoldi scored an “attacker’s goal” to close the score. He took the ball, cut the marking and hit hard from outside the area, without giving Thiago Braga a chance. Then all that was left was for the big guy to run into the hug.
