With the result, Rubro-Negro reached 30 points, four less than Palmeiras, who drew with Remo in the round
O Flamengo did its part in the 15th round of the Brazilian Championship and took advantage of Palmeiras’ stumble to decrease the distance in the table. This Sunday, the Rio team beat Grêmio 1-0, at the Arena, in Porto Alegre, and took the lead in the competition.
As a result, the Rubro-Negro reached 30 pointsfour less than Palmeiras, who drew with Remo in the round. The teams still have a direct confrontation scheduled for the 17th round, which could directly affect the dispute for the top spot before the World Cup break. Grêmio is going through a delicate moment and has entered the relegation zone, stuck with 17 points.
The first half was busy, with the Flamengo taking control of shares from the beginning. The team pressed high, created several opportunities and even hit the post on two occasions, with Plata and Carrascal. DOn the other hand, Grêmio tried to respond with quick transitions and was dangerous in some isolated moves, including a play in which Léo Pereira avoided the goal on the line after failing to release the ball.
In the final stage, the Flamengo kept the pace and continued looking for the goal. In the first few minutes, Samuel Lino had a great chance when he came face to face with the goalkeeper, but stopped after Weverton’s good shot. The red and black insistence was rewarded in the 22nd minute, when Emerson Royal appeared from the right and served Carrascal, who finished first time to find the net and open the score.
After the goal, the Rio team controlled the match with ball possession and organization, while Grêmio found it difficult to react. Flamengo almost scored the second with Bruno Henriquewho tried to cover Weverton, but stopped in the goalkeeper’s defense.
The atmosphere in the stands reflected the home team’s moment. The Grêmio fans showed dissatisfaction with boos and protests, while Flamengo managed the advantage until the final whistle.
In the next round, Grêmio faces Bahia on Sunday, at 4pm, at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador (BA). On the same day, at 7:30 pm, Flamengo visits Athletico-PR, at Arena da Baixada, in Curitiba (PR).
Technical sheet
GREMIO 0 X 1 FLAMENGO
GREMIO – Weverton; Pavón (Braithwaite), Gustavo Martins, Balbuena, Viery and Pedro Gabriel (Caio Paulista); Leonel Pérez (Tiaguinho), Noriega and Gabriel Mec; Carlos Vinícius and Amuzu (Enamorado). Coach: Luis Castro.
FLAMENGO – Rossi; Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas (Emerson Royal); Evertton Araújo, Jorginho and Carrascal (De la Cruz); Plata (Luiz Araújo), Pedro (Bruno Henrique) and Samuel Lino Coach: Leonardo Jardim.
GOALS – Carrascal, 22 minutes into the second half.
YELLOW CARDS – Pavón (Grêmio); Evertton Araújo, Jorginho and Pedro (Flamengo)
REFEREE – Davi de Oliveira Lacerda (ES)
INCOME – R$ 2,169,784.49
AUDIENCE – 30,891 fans
LOCATION – Arena do Grêmio, in Porto Alegre (RS).
