Despite a poor campaign in the 1st phase, Rubro-Negro eliminates its rival and advances to the state; Madureira will be the opponent
Flamengo secured its place in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Carioca, by beating Botafogo 2-1, this Carnival Sunday, at Eestádio Nilton Santos, in the quarter-finals. Now, on the other weekend, they will face Madureira who, on Friday, eliminated Boavista by winning 2-1.
The first half was dominated by Flamengo, who scored their goal with Lucas Paquetá. This was his first goal on his return to Gávea, where he has scored 19 goals. Botafogo came back better in the second half, drawing with Alexander Barboza. Flamengo’s winning goal was scored by Erick Pulgar in the final part of the game
This was Flamengo’s third victory in eight days, as they came from a 7-1 victory over Sampaio Corrêa, in the Guanabara Cup, beat Vitória 2-1, in Salvador, in the Brasileirão, and now eliminated Botafogo from Cariocão.
This was Botafogo’s fifth consecutive defeat, adding Carioca and Brasileiro, creating a negative atmosphere at the club. And they continue in the competition for the Rio Cup against Boavista, in the dispute between those eliminated from the quarter-finals.
Even with a very different formation, Flamengo sent a very technically strong team onto the field and soon dominated the actions in midfield. Furthermore, they were counting on Botafogo’s difficulty in leaving their defense field. In one of these errors, the Flamengo goal occurred.
Alexander Barbosa tried to connect Matheus Martins in midfield, but he was pushed behind by Vitão. The Botafoguenses complained about a foul, while Bruno Henrique was thrown in front of the area and played to the side for Lucas Paquetá’s first-time shot. The ball entered goalkeeper Neto’s left corner.
Botafogo players surrounded referee Bruno Arleu de Araújo, but the complaints were in vain because the goal was confirmed. Moments later, Botafogo’s technical assistant, Pablo de Muner, was sent off.
Flamengo maintained its strategy of waiting for the opponent to leave to counterattack quickly. Botafogo had a great opportunity to equalize in the 34th minute, when Matheus Martins was launched at speed behind the defense, walked with the ball and inside the area he despaired in front of goalkeeper Andrew. The ball went off the side of the post.
In the last minutes of the game, Botafogo was without midfielder Danilo, with groin pain, replaced by young Arthur Novaes.
The second half started differently, with Botafogo ahead and surprising Flamengo, who seemed inattentive. The equalizer came after eight minutes, when Alex Telles took a corner kick high up and Alexander Barboza won Erick Pulgar’s tackle to head the ball past Andrew.
Three minutes later, Matheus Martins appeared in the area and shot hard at Andrew, almost turning the score around. To ‘wake up’ Flamengo, coach Filipe Luís made two changes. Everton Cebolinha and Arrascaeta entered for Samuel Lino and Bruno Henrique to leave.
But Botafogo continued to be better, further ahead and more acute. Therefore, Filipe Luís placed two more players on the field: Evertton Araújo in Carrascal’s place and Luiz Araújo in Plata’s place. These exchanges balanced the actions on the field.
Flamengo scored the second goal in the 38th minute, in a play that started with a corner taken by Arrascaeta. The ball deflected in the area and fell to Erick Pulgar’s header at the second post. Neto hit and Pulgar himself headed the ball into the net.
Even before coming under pressure, Flamengo made a defensive change with the entry of defender Léo Pereira in Lucas Paquetá’s place. The objective was to mark the attackers of Alexander Barboza, who started to act almost like a striker. It was triggered twice, but it was well marked.
The two teams turn the key on Tuesday, when they travel to commitments in South America. Flamengo will go to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to face Lanus, on Thursday, in the first game of the Recopa Sudamericana. The return will take place in Rio on February 26th.
Botafogo’s trip is further away, as it goes to Bolivia to face Nacional Potosí, on Wednesday, in the pre-Libertadores. The concern is with the altitude of 3,800 meters. The return game will take place in Engenhão, on the 25th.
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