THE GLOBE

Unrequited love \ Fans fill Maracanã, but Fla has a mediocre performance and loses 3-0 \ MARCELINHO PARAÍBA, angry, covers his face with his shirt after Fla's defeat \ The dream of a sixth title brought over 80 Flamengo fans to the Maracanã. None of them expected to see such a lax midfield, such a wide-open defense, and a team that, at times, seemed soulless and at others, legless. Flamengo was overwhelmed, losing 3-0 to Atlético-MG, which was having a modest run in the Brazilian Championship. Fifth-placed Flamengo was seven points behind leaders Grêmio and three points from the Copa Libertadores qualifying zone. \ In the first half, Flamengo misplaced passes and, without the ball, defended poorly, allowing Atlético-MG to counterattack. Sambueza, Juan's replacement, showed technique but lacked the skills of a winger. Facing an exposed Flamengo, in the 22nd minute, Renan Oliveira shot over the bar. In the 25th minute, Pedro Paulo shot, but Bruno saved. An isolated opportunity nearly changed the game. Leonardo Moura crossed, and Marcelinho Paraíba headed the ball against the crossbar. But in the 31st minute, Castillo hit a beautiful free-kick into Bruno's top corner to score. \ Open, team almost suffers a defeat \ Champion of misplaced passes, Kleberson gave way to Erick Flores, at 37 and, at 45, Serginho put his hand on the ball in the area, but Paulo César Oliveira did not give a penalty. \ Flamengo returned for the second half with an even more open defense. In the first minute, Marcelinho Paraíba nearly scored from a free kick. But in the third minute, Pedro Paulo was one-on-one with Bruno, and the Flamengo goalkeeper prevented the second goal. Playing at full risk, Flamengo had another scare in the eighth minute, when Castillo exchanged passes with Renan Oliveira, shot, and Bruno saved. Atlético-MG's second goal was only a matter of time, and Caio Júnior opened the team up even further with Maxi replacing Ibson. The promise came in the 20th minute, when Pedro Paulo passed to Renan Oliveira, free in the box, to make it 2-0. \ The game was easy for Atlético-MG. Flamengo, exposed, conceded the third goal in the 29th minute. Bruno missed, but Leandro Almeida grabbed the rebound and scored the third goal. \ Yellow cards: Sambueza, Jailton, Pedro Paulo and Rafael Miranda. Revenue: R$1.545.250,00. Attendance: 77.387 paying spectators (81.317 present). \

Striker preserved \ Josiel is out of the lineup and tries to improve his form. Flamengo prepares for the derby. \ JOSIEL HEADS the ball during training: the striker was even left off the bench against Atlético-MG \ Carlos Eduardo Mansur \ Signed as a hopeful solution for Flamengo's attack, Josiel is going through a difficult time at Gávea. The striker wasn't even named on the bench for yesterday's game against Atlético-MG at Maracanã. Coach Caio Júnior and his assistants understood that, besides not being in good form technically, Josiel would be given more time to improve his fitness before the derby against Vasco next Sunday. \ "Players coming from the Arab world generally lack rhythm. There, they play and train less," said coach Caio Júnior, enthusiastic about Josiel's signing. \ In addition to the striker's poor form, Vandinho's strong performances in the games he started and the Argentine Maxi's performance in training also played a role. Flamengo's coaching staff rewarded Maxi's dedication, and he was named on the bench for yesterday's game. Caio Júnior hasn't given up on having Obina on the bench, using him in certain game situations, especially when the team is behind. \ Full attention on the classic \ Although he seemed somewhat dejected by the difficult times he's going through, Josiel reacted calmly to his loss of place in the team. The forward will have a few extra training sessions before Sunday's match against Vasco. Yesterday, for example, while the team was focused on the match against Atlético-MG, he trained with the other players not on the roster. \ For the derby against a rival in desperate straits, Flamengo is taking extra precautions. Coach Caio Júnior warned that Vasco's poor form won't make the match any easier. There's a consensus within the club that the rivalry will make the match an ideal opportunity for Vasco to attempt a comeback in the Brazilian Championship and stave off the risk of relegation. Midfielder Kleberson sets the tone for the Flamengo's discussion regarding the match. \ "Sometimes, it's even more worrying than other games. Facing opponents in this situation has never been easy. And Flamengo vs. Vasco is a classic. In this final stretch, all the games are very close and tough. We have a lot of respect for our opponents," said the Flamengo midfielder. \ The week off leading up to the game will also serve as a time for some players to recover, including midfielder Éverton, who suffered a muscle injury and missed the matches against Náutico and Atlético-MG. Defender Fábio Luciano, who served a suspension in yesterday's match, is also undergoing special training. Since he's already 33 years old and will have been out of action for two weeks by the time the derby against Vasco da Gama is over, the coaching staff has prioritized work to prevent injuries and improve his conditioning. He's been primarily doing muscle strengthening and physical training. Fábio Luciano didn't even take the field last week, but he worked with the squad, providing leadership, to motivate the other players. \ - Fábio Luciano is experienced and very important in this final stretch of the Brazilian Championship - warned coach Caio Júnior. \

FLAMENGO \ BRUNO: Failed on Atlético-MG's third goal. 4,5. \ JAÍLTON: He was childishly involved in the second goal. 4. \ DININHO: Showed slowness in coverage. 4,5. \ RONALDO ANGELIM: Tried to create options for passing the ball down the left, but was caught out by the marking as he played exposed. 4,5. \ LEONARDO MOURA: The team's safety valve, he created good chances. In the second half, he disappeared. 6. \ TORÓ: He tried hard to fight, but he missed passes when he tried to make the ball exit. 5. \ IBSON: He fought hard and never gave up. But he misplaced passes and overdid his individualism. The boos seemed excessive. 5. MAXI came on and barely touched the ball. 4. \ KLEBERSON: He had a very unhappy night. He failed almost everything he tried and left in the first half. 3. ERICK FLORES replaced him and had flashes of success. Little by little, he felt the game and began to decline. 5. \ SAMBUEZA: He has good technique, but no winger's mannerisms. He also suffered from physical problems and struggled in the second half. 4. \ MARCELINHO PARAÍBA: He headed a ball against the crossbar and tried to lead the attack. 6. \ VANDINHO: He received few balls, as the team created little. 5. OBINA came on and, as was predictable, was also isolated. 5. \ CAIO JUNIOR: He increasingly exposed the team throughout the game. Playing Sambueza on the wing proved to be a mistake. 3,5. \ ATLÉTICO-MG \ Renan Oliveira was the best player of the match. Striker Pedro Paulo gave him a hard time, and Castillo scored a beautiful goal. \ ARBITRATION \ Paulo César Oliveira made a mistake by not awarding a penalty to Flamengo after Serginho's handball. \

SPORTS JOURNAL

Fla plays very badly and is humiliated at Maraca

Rubro-Negro loses 3-0 and sees the sixth title far away

Felipe Augusto - felipeaugusto@jsports.com.br

Rio de Janeiro – It got tough. The 3-0 defeat to Atlético-MG this Saturday at Maracanã left the Flamengo increasingly far from winning the sixth title. Playing poor football against the red-and-black crowd, the team failed to break through Atlético's defense and is now three points behind fourth-place São Paulo. In the next round, Flamengo faces Vasco da Gama on Sunday the 19th at the Maracanã stadium.\ Atlético-MG started attacking, surprising Flamengo in their defense. The Red-Blacks tried to attack by working the ball, but were stymied by the tight marking of Atlético's defense. Then, in the 27th minute, Léo Moura crossed from the right for Marcelinho Paraíba, unmarked, to head the ball against goalkeeper Juninho's crossbar. It looked like Flamengo would open the scoring. However, their punishment came in the 31st minute. Renan Oliveira challenged Jaílton for the ball. The ball fell to Castillo, who hit a beautiful shot from outside the box, leaving Bruno with no chance. 1-0 Galo. \ Coach Caio Júnior took off Kleberson, who was struggling, and brought on young Erick Flores. The team picked up pace, and Atlético attempted counterattacks to extend their lead. Flamengo had a very weak first half, with the Minas Gerais team dominating. \ Rooster humiliates at Maraca\ Flamengo returned to the second half with more enthusiasm. In the first minute, Marcelinho took a free kick. The ball flew just wide of Juninho's post. Atlético responded immediately. In the third minute, Pedro Paulo received the ball at the edge of the box and shot toward goal. Bruno closed the corner and made a good save. The red-and-black crowd at the Maracanã stadium couldn't believe their team's poor performance. To make matters worse, in the 20th minute, Pedro Paulo led a quick counterattack and passed to Renan Oliveira to extend Atlético's lead to 2-0. \ The Red-Blacks showed no reaction. Erick Flores lacked the quality to launch counterattacks, thus strengthening the Galo. In the 29th minute, another goal came. Márcio Araújo received the ball in the box and shot across goal. Bruno rebounded it into the feet of Leandro Almeida, who made no mistake. 3-0. Atlético marked Flamengo well, but they didn't display the style of a team aspiring to the Brasileirão title.\

Caio Júnior: "There was no fair play"

Rio de Janeiro - During yesterday's match between Flamengo and Atlético-MG, in which the Minas Gerais team beat the red-black team 3-0, in the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship, the coach of the Rio de Janeiro team, Caio Junior, visibly dejected, complained about the move in which the visitors scored the second goal, when they should have given the ball back to the home team.

"We started the second half well, we had a great chance, but the crucial moment of the game was the second goal. I still don't understand why Paulo César let the play continue. I kept shouting, but no one heard me. Two Galo players were carried off on a stretcher. On the way back, Paulo dropped the ball. They said they were going to return the ball. There was no fair play; they passed it to the player on the sideline, and the goal was scored. It was the fatal moment. The third goal was regrettable," says the coach.

Caio Júnior: 'It was a night to forget' Rio de Janeiro - After the 3-0 defeat to Atlético-MG, this Saturday, at Maracanã, Flamengo coach Caio Júnior lamented the negative result for the team. "The worst part of the game was after Atlético-MG's second goal. After that, the team felt it. We misplaced a lot of passes and the ball wouldn't stay in front. It was a night to forget," says the coach.

Bruno: 'I apologize to the fans for today's result'

Rio de Janeiro - The humiliating 3-0 defeat to Atlético-MG, this Saturday, left the fans of Flamengo discredited in winning the sixth championship. Goalkeeper Bruno highlighted the sadness of the fans and the red-and-black squad.\ "I wanted to tell the fans that we are very sad about today's result. Just as we believe, the fans should believe (in the title) too. The fans did their part. Unfortunately, I apologize to the fans for today's result," commented Bruno. \

THE DAY

Fla disappoints at Maracanã: Atlético-MG 3-0

Rio - The 'nation' didn't deserve it. Flamengo fans did their part, breaking the championship attendance record with over 80 at Maracanã, believing it would be the game that would kickstart their sixth Brazilian championship. But a struggling Galo team spoiled the party. Playing ridiculously, the Rubro-Negro was completely dominated and ended up being thrashed 3-0 by Atlético-MG.

Castillo, Renan Oliveira, and Leandro Almeida scored for Galo, who only avoided a bigger win thanks to several miracles from goalkeeper Bruno. With the result, Flamengo finished the round outside the top four, with 4 points, three behind fourth-place São Paulo and far behind leaders Grêmio, who already have 49.

From the first half, Flamengo's performance was below par. Without Juan, who is on international duty, Flamengo only managed one good chance in the first half, when Marcelinho Paraíba headed the ball against the Atlético crossbar in the 27th minute.

But the Minas Gerais team began to show its strength in the 25th minute, when Pedro Paulo forced Bruno into a great save. It was the key to Galo's goal, which came in the 31st minute. Bolivian Castillo capitalized on a loose ball and, from the edge of the box, took a first-time shot and hit a bomb into the top corner.

Coach Caio Júnior noticed the team's apathy and took off Kléberson, bringing on young striker Erick Flores in the first half. Before halftime, the red-and-blacks still complained about a penalty that was ignored by the referee, when Serginho used his arm to clear a ball inside the box.

Flamengo came back even worse in the second half. Atlético knew how to outplay the home team and, after stalling with two injured players, took advantage of the Flamengo's disarray and extended their lead in the 20th minute. Serginho raced down the left and passed to Renan Oliveira inside the box. One-on-one with Bruno, the forward simply tapped the ball into the net.

But it would get even worse. In the 29th minute, Márcio Araújo burst into the box from the right and shot across goal, Bruno palmed it away, and Castillo finished into the net, sealing the rout.

Caio Jr. blames lack of fair play

Rio - Pointed out by fans as the villain for Flamengo's embarrassment, coach Caio Júnior chose to blame the refereeing and Atlético-MG's lack of fair play in the second goal for the Flamengo's defeat. The coach complained about the lack of ethics of the Galo players, who should have returned the ball, as the match had been stopped by the referee to allow two of the Minas Gerais team's players to receive treatment.

"They should apologize, as they showed no ethics whatsoever with their opponent. FIFA punishes this behavior, and it should punish Atlético, as we only conceded the second goal thanks to this move, as Flamengo's players expected the opponent to return the ball. Instead, they went ahead and scored the goal that practically sealed their victory," complained Caio Júnior.

Wrongly, the red-and-black manager also criticized the refereeing for the incident. "He should have stopped the game and punished Atlético. What happened was absurd," said the coach, seeing his title chances as more distant. "We have to win the next two games. Then we'll evaluate our chances," he stated.

The players, however, admitted they were disappointing. "Atlético deserved to win, because their team was the only one who played. We gave them too much space and did nothing. There are days when everything goes wrong," lamented Ronaldo Angelim. Toró agreed with his teammate. "We lost a lot of silly balls and deserved this defeat," he acknowledged.

Late wages

The club will face a turbulent week, not only due to the poor result and the anticipation of facing archrival Vasco da Gama on Sunday. The board expects to pay the remaining 50% of August's salaries, as the club generated significant revenue from the Maracanã stadium. As for the September payroll for players and staff, the directors say they will pay it by the 20th of this month.

SPORTS GAZETTE

Bruno rules out throwing in the towel at Gávea: "I still believe in the title"

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo's home loss to Atlético-MG was a blow to Flamengo's hopes of remaining in the top four of the Brazilian Championship. What's more, the deficit to leader Grêmio has grown to seven points. Even so, the order at Gávea is to maintain hopes of winning the national title.

"We're going to work hard to bounce back in the derby against Vasco. We know the pressure and the obligation to improve, but we still believe in the title," said goalkeeper Bruno, shortly after Saturday's setback at Maracanã.

To defeat Vasco, Flamengo will have to make significant changes to its playing style and avoid the spaces afforded to Galo this Saturday. "We went all out against Atlético-MG, wanting to win at any cost, but we made too many mistakes and allowed our opponent to counterattack," analyzed Bruno.

Flamengo's goalkeeper reiterated coach Caio Júnior's apology to the fans. Over 81 fans flocked to the Maracanã stadium to see a completely listless team lacking the strength to defeat a rival at the bottom of the standings.

"It's time for crowd Stay calm. They did their part, they provided support. We apologize for what happened," Bruno confirmed.

Caio Júnior admits shame over defeat to Galo

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Before the round, Flamengo was considered a contender for the Brazilian title. On the field, however, the Rio de Janeiro team suffered a humiliating defeat against Atlético-MG. The 3-0 defeat at Maracanã angered the more than 81 fans, who even chanted "olé" in the final moments of the match.

Coach Caio Júnior admitted: the team was lacking on the field. "The fans were embarrassed at the end, and so was I, but we have to accept it; that's football. We have to bounce back and focus on Vasco," he declared.

According to Caio Júnior, Atlético-MG performed as expected. Before the match, the coach warned mainly about Quality from the opponent's midfield, who can disarm and attack with quality.

In the first half, Caio Júnior even made changes to Flamengo, bringing on young Erick Flores for Kléberson. "I wanted to give it a second wind; I couldn't wait another ten minutes," he explained.

From now on, Caio Júnior wants to forget Atlético-MG and focus on his recovery against Vasco. Despite Saturday's failure, treinador asks for help from crowd.

"I apologize to the fans on everyone's behalf; it was a night to forget. Still, I'm confident we'll have a great crowd for the derby against Vasco," concluded Caio Júnior.

Ronaldo Angelim defines Flamengo's defeat: "3-0 was not enough"

Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - A true disaster. That's how Flamengo's defeat to Atlético-MG at the Maracanã stadium could be described. The Rio de Janeiro team, apathetic, watched a stellar performance by the Galo team, which is solidifying its position in the fight for a spot in next year's Copa Sudamericana.

As Flamengo's players left the Maracanã pitch, they were stunned. But defender Ronaldo Angelim was conscious enough to define the reality of what happened on the pitch: \ "Today, only Atlético-MG played. It was a deserved victory for our opponent. I think 3-0 was even a little too much considering what happened," the defender said. \

The result leaves Flamengo seven points behind leaders Grêmio, who beat Santos earlier in the round on Wednesday. Furthermore, Flamengo loses its place in the top four.

Flamengo plays poorly and is run over by Atlético-MG at Maracanã\ From correspondent Tadeu Meniconi\

Belo Horizonte (MG) - Atlético-MG surprised Flamengo early Saturday evening and secured a historic victory at Maracanã. Atlético-MG broke their 23-year streak of not beating the red-and-blacks in Rio's greatest football stadium and thrashed their biggest rivals outside the state of Minas Gerais: 3-0.

The Minas Gerais team remains in 12th place, but the most important thing isn't position, but points. The 37 points earned leave the team a safe nine points away from the relegation zone, providing peace of mind for the rest of the season. Flamengo, on the other hand, was the only one of the top five to lose this round, dropping to fifth place, seven points behind leaders Grêmio.

Aware of the match's importance, both teams began cautiously, studying their opponents. Atlético-MG, even playing away from home against a title contender, didn't play overly defensively. The Belo Horizonte team relied on speed but proved quite intimidating, starting with a superior performance compared to the Rio de Janeiro team.

The first good scoring chance fell to Minas Gerais. In the 25th minute, Bolivian Castillo delivered a low cross from the right, Pedro Paulo got ahead of Jaílton and forced Bruno into a good save. Two minutes later, Flamengo responded with a move down the right wing, one of their strengths. Leonardo Moura crossed for Marcelinho Paraíba, who headed the ball against Juninho's crossbar.

However, it was Galo who took the lead at Maracanã. In the 31st minute, Renan Oliveira attempted a run through the middle, but was blocked by the defense. The ball rose from the tackle and was perfectly placed for Castillo, who fired home from outside the box. Hitting the ball home, the Bolivian gave Bruno no chance and scored his first goal for the black and white jersey.

After the goal, Atlético-MG began to rely even more on counterattacks, but with good marking, they didn't let themselves be pressured by the Rubro-Negro. Meanwhile, the Rio de Janeiro team launched intensely into the attack, bringing on Erick Flores for Kléberson in the first half. In stoppage time, they could have had a good chance to equalize if the referee had awarded a penalty when Serginho handled the ball inside the box.

In the second half, Flamengo came back, driven by their fans, determined to press in search of an equalizer. Right away, they had a good opportunity with a free kick from the right. Marcelinho Paraíba crossed into the six-yard box, but no one touched it in. Meanwhile, the defense opened up for counterattacks. In the fourth minute, Renan Oliveira sent Pedro Paulo through the middle, and the forward, facing goal, couldn't clear it out of goalkeeper Bruno's reach.

The smarter Minas Gerais team took advantage of Atlético's nervousness and took control of the game. In the 20th minute, Serginho made a good run down the left flank and made a beautiful play, passing the ball to Renan Oliveira, free in the middle of the box, who tapped it into the net, scoring Atlético's second goal.

The two-goal deficit dampened the spirits of the Flamengo fans, who packed the Maracanã stadium. From the stands, boos and complaints could be heard, directed primarily at Ibson and Caio Júnior, but the entire team was accused of a lack of enthusiasm while Galo dominated the game.

The consequences of the black and white team's high-intensity play were predictable. Márcio Araújo exchanged passes with Castillo on the right, burst into the box, and fired a cross-shot. Bruno couldn't hold on to the ball, and on the rebound, defender Leandro Almeida was well-positioned, pushing it into the net.

From then on, Flamengo no longer had a chance to react and showed signs of dejection after the surprising result. In the final minutes, it was Atlético who attacked more, still threatening Bruno's goal, with Featured for a free kick by Petkovic, well saved by the goalkeeper.

The next round of the Brazilian Championship features important regional derbies, with both Flamengo and Atlético-MG facing their most traditional rivals. On Sunday, Urubu faces Vasco at Maracanã, while Galo plays Cruzeiro at Mineirão.

PELENET

Atlético-MG wins and ignores the fans and Flamengo

Fernando Narazaki\ In Rio de Janeiro\

For Márcio Braga, the team had what it took to win the championship. However, the "party" of the supposed sixth title became more complicated for Flamengo. This is because, despite the presence of over 77 paying fans, the team succumbed to the greater effort of Atlético-MG, who won emphatically 3-0 this Saturday at Maracanã, in the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. Castillo, Renan Oliveira, and Leandro Almeida sealed the victory for the visitors.\ The fans practically filled the Maracanã stadium—some seats were empty in the green stands—but they had little reason to cheer. Flamengo repeatedly misplaced passes, lacked the creativity to overcome the opposing defense, and showed great haste.\ Atlético-MG then took advantage of the space to seal the victory, driving Flamengo fans wild, as they left Maracanã midway through the second half. The visiting team's first goal was enough for the fans to once again call for coach Caio Júnior's dismissal and curse president Márcio Braga. The manager was booed with every substitution and watched in astonishment as the rivals dominated.\ "They were actually better and dominated us," lamented Caio Júnior, who blamed the team's excessive misplaced passes. Goalkeeper Bruno said the rush cost the Rio de Janeiro club dearly. "In the first 20 minutes, the team pushed forward, but tried any way they could and were unsuccessful. We counterattacked, and that's what they wanted," he assessed.\ With this result, Flamengo will have a difficult week preparing to face Vasco in a classic next Sunday (October 19th) at 18:10 pm at Maracanã. As if facing their biggest rival wasn't enough, Flamengo is out of the top four, having maintained 4 points, seen their biggest rivals (São Paulo and Cruzeiro) win and thus falling to fifth place.\ Atlético-MG has moved further away from the relegation zone, reaching 37 points, nine more than Atlético-PR (first in the relegation zone), and remaining in 12th place. With the good weather, the black and white team will face Cruzeiro at 16 pm at Mineirão, also on October 19th. \ The game\ Encouraged by the fans, Flamengo launched forward from the start of the match. However, Flamengo funneled its plays down the right flank and rarely utilized the opposite flank, which relied on the makeshift Sambueza. Atlético-MG, on the other hand, imposed a strong marking and attempted to exploit counterattacks.\

Despite both teams' commitment, the teams were often erratic in their passing, and the goalkeepers had little to do. However, that changed in the 20th minute, when Bruno made a crucial save after a "stupid line" from the red-and-black defense.\ Flamengo's response came in the 27th minute, when Marcelinho Paraíba unleashed a beautiful header that hit the crossbar. However, the Galo Mineiro responded effectively. In the 30th minute, Castillo scored a beautiful goal, finding the top corner of Bruno's net.\ The Minas Gerais team grew stronger after the goal, and the red-and-black team became nervous. Flamengo's fans began to demand grit from the team, which went to the locker room down, receiving boos from the stands.\ The second half started off electrifying. Proof of this is that, in less than two minutes, there was a dangerous play for each side. At this point, Renan Oliveira began to tip the balance in Atlético-MG's favor. Ibson, meanwhile, was intensely booed by the home fans.\ Upon learning of this and knowing that only victory mattered, Caio Júnior withdrew the midfielder and brought on Max. This dropped Marcelinho Paraíba back, and the Argentine joined Vandinho in the forward line.\ However, the visiting team began to solidify their victory in the 20th minute. Renan Oliveira's genius was rewarded by a superb pass from Serginho. The final blow came in the 29th minute, from Leandro Almeida, after a mistake by goalkeeper Bruno.\ With the score decided in favor of the visitors, many of the fans had already left the Maracanã stadium. Those who remained chanted "olé" and were very hostile toward coach Caio Júnior, who had to watch Atlético's performance and Flamengo's eighth defeat in the competition.\

Ronaldo Angelim admits: "3-0" was cheap for Flamengo

Fernando Narazaki\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Defender Ronaldo Angelim was furious after Flamengo's humiliating 3-0 loss to Atlético-MG this Saturday at the Maracanã, in a match for the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. The number 4 felt the red-and-black team was lucky not to have come away with an even bigger score. \ Still on the field, a hot-headed Angelim praised his opponents for not being bothered by the 77 fans who showed up at the stadium, a record attendance in the Brazilian Championship. Although Flamengo's fans did their part, the players failed to deliver a strong performance.\ "Today (Saturday) everything went wrong. We didn't play, only Atlético played and 3-0 wasn't enough," analyzed Ronaldo Angelim, adding: "They came to play on the counterattack and they were lucky. Nothing went right for us."\ In the first half, coach Caio Júnior already showed his dissatisfaction with the team's performance by taking off Kleberson and bringing on young Erick Flores. By this point, Flamengo was already trailing 1-0.\ Stunned, the young man offered little explanation. "I tried hard, I fought, but it didn't work out. I'm disappointed," lamented Erick Flores, who did little to improve the team's performance. \

Caio Júnior says Flamengo's performance was regrettable

Fernando Narazaki\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Losing 3-0 at home in front of 80 fans left Flamengo coach Caio Júnior dejected after the match against Atlético-MG in the 29th round of the Brazilian Championship. He didn't hesitate to discuss the red-and-black team's poor performance on Saturday night.\ "The game was regrettable. We had poor performances, going seven games without a win. Today, more than half of the players didn't perform well. Players who usually make mistakes made a lot of mistakes, and Atlético didn't make any mistakes," Caio Júnior emphasized.\ Unable to hide his frustration, the manager acknowledged his rival's improved performance, but explained that the match could have had a different outcome had Marcelinho Paraíba scored in the first half. In the 27th minute, he hit the Atlético-MG crossbar. Four minutes later, the visitors opened the scoring.\ "If we had scored with Marcelinho, the result could have been different. It was difficult for us to react afterwards," analyzed the coach, who was heavily heckled by the fans after Flamengo conceded its first goal.\ The coach also complained about the lack of honesty on the part of Atlético's players in the play that led to the second goal. "It was a crucial incident. The match restarted with the ball on the ground and they had to return it, but there was no fair play and the goal was scored," he recalled. \ Regardless, he acknowledged his opponent's superiority. "The game went exactly as we expected. Atlético has an excellent midfield, with well-positioned and fast players. That was the tone of the pre-match talk I gave. They deserved it," he analyzed.\ Even before the game ended, fans were already protesting and leaving the Maracanã stands on their way home. "I think the fans' attitude is normal. I'm always there for them (the fans) who make the effort to come to the stadium. They're embarrassed, just like me. I apologize and accept the defeat," concluded Caio Júnior.\ Goalkeeper Bruno was another to apologize to the more than 77 fans who attended Maracanã this Saturday. "Atlético-MG knew how to score, they had their merits. The fans packed Maracanã, but it wasn't enough. I apologize and hope for a better result in the derby," said the number 1.\

Caio Júnior laments the lack of ethics of Atlético-MG athletes

Fernando Narazaki\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Flamengo coach Caio Júnior acknowledged that the team played very poorly, but attributed the 3-0 defeat to Atlético-MG to an alleged lack of fair play by the Minas Gerais team's players.

In the coach's assessment, Atlético's performance during the match's second goal was reprehensible. Caio Júnior is referring to a possible return that Atlético-MG should have made after referee Paulo César de Oliveira stopped the game to treat two of the team's players.\ After receiving treatment, Oliveira restarted with the ball on the ground. Marcelinho Paraíba gave up the challenge, letting Serginho pass, and the Atlético player passed to Pedro Paulo. The player passed to Serginho, who advanced unmarked down the left, passed three opponents, and crossed for Renan Oliveira to score.\ Desperate, Caio Júnior complained in the technical area, but the referee allowed the play. In the locker room, the coach condemned the opponent's actions. "I thought the worst part was the 2-0 result. A player (from Atlético-MG) told Marcelinho he was going to return the ball, and other players heard it, because it was a pass to the Atlético-MG player. There was no fair play, and the second goal was scored. Paulo (César de Oliveira) should have stopped the game; he should have taken action," he said.\ In his assessment, the attitude of Serginho, Pedro Paulo, and Renan Oliveira will result in the three being singled out among their professional colleagues. "These players will be marked, you can be sure of that. The other players won't accept that," he explained.\ A month ago, Shakhtar Donetsk also complained about a possible lack of fair play in their Champions League loss to Barcelona, ​​but UEFA downplayed the matter. In the English Championship, the referee who officiated Manchester United and Bolton admitted the error in awarding the penalty that led to Manchester's second goal and apologized to the injured team.\ However, Caio Júnior doesn't believe Paulo César de Oliveira will take this stance. "At the very least, he has to acknowledge that this incident happened and that ethics must be maintained on the field. But here in Brazil, we also have to understand that being a referee isn't easy. I have a lot of trust in Paulo; I think he's a great referee. I know he's serious, but it was regrettable," he explained.\ Goalkeeper Bruno agreed with the Flamengo coach's opinion, but avoided engaging in direct confrontation. "They could have returned the ball, but we also had to be more focused on the game. We can't just wait and watch. But the right thing to do was to return the ball," he stated. \

Suspended, Jaílton will miss Flamengo's derby against Vasco

From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\

Flamengo will be without its guard dog for the derby on the 19th, against Vasco, at 18:10 pm, at Maracanã, in the 30th round of the Brazilian Championship. Suspended, Jaílton received his third yellow card in the red-black team's 3-0 loss to Atlético-MG this Saturday.\ With that, coach Caio Júnior will have training sessions this week to find a replacement in midfield. One option could be a return to the familiar 4-4-2 formation instead of the 3-5-2 used in the loss to Galo.\ Flamengo, on the other hand, will have the return of two of its best players. Fabio Luciano and Juan will be available to the Flamengo coach. While the defender was suspended, the left-back will return after representing the Brazilian national team.\ Flamengo and Vasco are in different situations within the Brazilian league. While Flamengo is still fighting for a spot in the top four and, with it, a spot in the Copa Libertadores, Vasco is in an unprecedented fight to avoid relegation.\

GLOBOESPORTE

Coach avoids controversy over Kleberson's substitution in the first half

Caio Júnior says he respects the players and will not stop doing what he thinks is right during matches because of vanity.

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15681980-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895658 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); By replacing Kleberson in the first half of the 3-0 defeat to Athletic-MG (watch the best moments in the video below), Saturday, at Maracanã, for the 29th round of the BrasileirãoCaio Júnior took care to call the midfielder over for a greeting to avoid any protests. When asked if the five-time world champion was responsible for the team's disastrous performance at that moment, the coach explained. \ "Since we conceded the goal, something new would be important. I couldn't wait until halftime to change the team. Erick came on well, he's a different player, and we created some chances. Kleberson is a world champion, a kid I have the utmost respect for, and we talked at halftime. Nobody likes to come off at halftime, but if I have to make a change, I will. That's more than normal." \ Caio Júnior admitted that the performance against Galo was one of the worst of the Flamengo in the season. For him, the below-average performance of some players was decisive. \ "We had poor performances during that period, going seven games without a win. What defined the performance was that more than half of the players didn't perform well. Players who were unbalanced missed a lot of passes, and Atlético-MG didn't make any mistakes." \ Regarding the selection of midfielder Sambueza in place of left-back Juan, who is with the national team, the red-black commander was objective. \ - Within the realm of possibility, Sambueza played well in the game. In football, you can't dwell on the aftermath. \ In the final minutes, the Argentine was booed by the fans. Luizinho, who was the other option for the position, was on the bench but did not participate in the match.\

Booed, Caio Jr. defends the fans: 'They were embarrassed, like me'

Coach says he will always be by the side of those who make sacrifices to support the team and asks for a good crowd against Vasco

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15682396-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895683 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); Booed by fans for the second consecutive time at Maracanã, Caio Júnior played the role of his own critics' lawyer after the 3-0 defeat to Athletic-MG, this Saturday, for the 29th round of the BrasileirãoThe coach put himself in the fans' shoes and said he was also ashamed of what happened on the field, adding that, regardless of the protests, he would always be on the fans' side. \ - The fans were embarrassed, as I was. We have to accept it. Football is like this, not how we want it. We have to think about VascoI think any fan's attitude is normal. I'll always be a supporter, because they have trouble getting to the stadium and can complain. \ For the coach, the disappointment against Atlético-MG won't keep the red-and-blacks away from the stadiums in the coming rounds. He's even calling on the fans to watch the derby against Vasco on Sunday, the 19th, at 18:10 p.m., at Maracanã. \ "The fans who came are upset, but I'm confident we'll turn out for the derby. It'll be a thrilling game; Vasco needs a result. I apologize on behalf of all the players and ask for the fans' support. We had a night to forget."\

Nervousness is Caio Jr.'s justification for Fla's disappointing performance

Coach says the team was rushing because they couldn't create scoring chances and made too many mistakes in passing.

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15682396-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895683 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); The numerous misplaced passes and tactical disorganization in the defeat to Athletic-MG, by 3 to 0, this Saturday, at Maracanã, made it clear that there was something wrong with the team Flamengo. From title contender to team outside the G-4, Rubro-Negro disappointed the 81 thousand fans who supported the team and coach Caio Júnior sought explanations for the performance described by himself as 'regrettable' (watch the coach's press conference below). \ "The team was nervous, misplacing passes and rushing things. The players' expectations were the same as the fans'. Taking a big step forward, and that influenced their mental health in the final stretch. Now, we have to focus on Vasco." \ According to the coach, the difficulty in breaking into the Minas Gerais defense was already anticipated, and the goal missed by Marcelinho Paraíba in the 27th minute of the first half was decisive in changing the course of the match. \ "The game went exactly as we expected. Atlético-MG has an excellent midfield; that was the main theme of my talk. They have players who pass the ball well and were very well positioned. We had difficulty penetrating a well-positioned defense. If Marcelinho had scored, the story would have changed, but "if" is meaningless. Atlético-MG would have ended up having to come out and play. \

Coach says Galo players did not play fairly in the second goal

According to Caio Júnior, Atlético fans should return the ball to Flamengo after medical attention

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15682396-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895683 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); Visibly dejected, Caio Júnior was disappointed with the players of Athletic-MG after the defeat of Flamengo by 3 to 0, this Saturday, at Maracanã, for the 29th round of the Brasileirão. According to the red-black coach, the move that led to Galo's second goal was due to a lack of fair play by the Minas Gerais team, who allegedly failed to return the ball after receiving medical attention from a player (watch an excerpt from the coach's press conference). \ "We started the second half well, we had a great chance, but the crucial moment of the game was the second goal. I still don't understand why Paulo César let the play continue. I kept shouting, but no one heard me. Two Galo players were carried off on a stretcher. On the way back, Paulo dropped the ball. They said they were going to return the ball. There was no fair play; they passed it to the player on the sideline, and the goal was scored. It was the fatal moment. The third goal was regrettable." \ Caio Júnior said that Paulo César de Oliveira should have stopped the match and asked the referee to at least acknowledge the mistake.\

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15682598-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895705 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); "He should have taken some action. Flamengo gave the ball to their player to be treated, and there was no fair play. In my opinion, Paulo César should have stopped the game. At the very least, he has to acknowledge that this incident occurred. Ethics must exist on the field. Soccer players demand this of each other. Being a referee in Brazil is difficult because players tend to simulate plays, among other things."

However, SporTV's refereeing commentator Renato Marsiglia disagreed with the red-black coach's view and said that the referee got the move right (watch the video).

"Caio Júnior's complaint is unjustified because Atlético-MG had possession. So much so that Martcelinho Paraíba didn't even contest the play. If fair play hadn't been followed, which wasn't the case, Paulo César wouldn't have been obliged to stop the match as Flamengo's coach wanted," he explains.

Bruno: 'Flamengo did everything, but...'

The goalkeeper is resigned to his poor performance in front of 77 red-black fans and praises Galo

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15682404-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895685 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); One of the only players who faced the press after the defeat by 3 to 0 protocols for Athletic-MG, this Saturday, at Maracaña, Bruno preferred to give credit to Galo rather than criticize the red-black performance in front of more than 77 thousand fans. For him, the Flamengo He did everything he could, but he couldn't create scoring opportunities (watch an excerpt from the player's press conference). \ "Atlético-MG really involved us. They dictated the pace of the game, marked our strengths, capitalized on counterattacks, and that's how it will be from now on. Flamengo did everything they could, but it was difficult to break into defense." \ Despite the setback, the goalkeeper continues to believe in winning the Brasileirão and regrets the fact that the visiting team scored the first goal of the match. \ "We had a chance to score, but then it would have been a different story. They took the lead, forced Caio to make the team more attacking, and it didn't work out. Even so, we have to keep thinking about the title." \

Frustrated, red-blacks lament defeat at Maracanã

Players 'flee the press' and seek explanations for the defeat suffered against Atlético-MG

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

Marcelinho Paraíba hides his face after defeat

Unbelievers at the 3-0 defeat suffered against Athletic-MG this Saturday, at Maracanã, for the 29th round of the Brasileirão, the players of Flamengo went to the locker room after referee Paulo César de Oliveira's final whistle, "fleeing" the press. Those who stopped to speak to reporters were succinct. \ - We tried to maintain the rhythm we had been maintaining, but we couldn't - Toró simply said. \ - I tried, I wanted to, but it wasn't possible - said young Erick Flores, who replaced Kleberson in the first half. \

Frustration at Maracanã: Galo scores a rout, silences the fans and knocks Flamengo out of the G-4

In front of 70 thousand red-black fans, Atlético-MG wins 3-0, escapes the relegation zone and leaves Rubro-Negro far from the sixth title

Cahê Mota Rio de Janeiro

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15681945-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895657 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); The 81 red-and-black fans who were at Maracanã on Saturday night to sing "Fire and Passion" and pay tribute to Vandinho were given a cold shower. Completely disorganized on the field, Flamengo was defeated 3-0 by Athletic-MG, for the 29th round of the Brasileirão and practically said goodbye to the dream of a sixth Brazilian championship (watch the goals below). Bolivian Castillo, Renan Oliveira, and Leandro Almeida scored for the Minas Gerais team. \ With this result, Flamengo finishes the round outside the top four, in fifth place, with 4 points. Three points behind fourth-place São Paulo and seven behind leaders Grêmio. Galo, meanwhile, breathes a sigh of relief, far from the relegation zone, still in 49th place, but with 12 points.\

In the next round, the duo will face state classics. On Sunday, the 19th, Flamengo will face Vasco, at Maracanã, at 18:10 p.m. On the same day, but at 16 p.m., Galo plays against Cruzeiro, in Mineirão.

Galo leaves Flamengo cornered and opens the scoring

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15681107-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895583 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); It didn't take long for Atlético-MG to demonstrate its weapon against the red-and-black's enthusiasm: offense. Marking their attacking flanks and relying on the speed of the trio of Renan Oliveira, Castillo, and Pedro Paulo, Atlético-MG remained in the opponent's half in the opening minutes and prevented any pressure from the home team. In the opening minutes, Flamengo's offensive efforts were limited to free kicks from Marcelinho Paraíba's half, which posed no threat. \ Meanwhile, Renan Oliveira was tormenting the Rio defense. Omnipresent in attack, he risked weak shots in the 10th and 13th minutes, both of which were off target. By this point, chants like "Fire and Passion," promised to Vandinho, had given way to silence on the red and black side, and the only sound coming from the stands came from the approximately 300 Atlético fans who had gathered at Maracanã. \ With no space and misplacing many passes, Flamengo continued to watch Renan Oliveira pose a threat. In the 19th minute, he left Jaílton behind and fired a cross-shot. Pedro Paulo and Castillo threw themselves at the ball, but Bruno got ahead of the attackers and made the save. A minute later, the Flamengo fans rose to their feet for the first time. Marcelinho Paraíba took a chance from the edge of the box, but his shot went wide. Cornered, Caio Júnior's team continued to do what they could on defense. In the 22nd minute, Renan Oliveira, always Renan Oliveira, cleared the play at the edge of the box and struck powerfully. The shot frightened Bruno, who had to work hard in the 24th minute to prevent Pedro Paulo from scoring, heading in Castillo's cross.\

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15681131-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895585 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); Flamengo's ineffectiveness forced Atlético-MG to rush forward and neglect their defense. In the 27th minute, Leonardo Moura advanced with rare freedom down the right and crossed perfectly for Marcelinho Paraíba, who headed firmly and hit Juninho's crossbar. The move, however, was nothing more than an illusion for Flamengo fans. In the 32nd minute, Castillo attempted a one-two with Renan Oliveira; the ball deflected off Flamengo's defense and rose for the Bolivian to finish first time, finding Bruno's right corner: 1-0 for Atlético-MG, who only failed to extend their lead three minutes later because Pedro Paulo was uneasy after leaving Jaílton sitting and crossed wide.\ The silence among the Flamengo fans was only broken in the 37th minute by chants of "we want grit" and boos for Kleberson, who was replaced by Erick Flores. The 19-year-old midfielder's introduction gave Flamengo a quicker start, and Vandinho missed a good chance in the 40th minute, shooting straight at Juninho after a good pass from Marcelinho Paraíba. Nothing could disturb the Galo's calm at the end of the first half.\

Boos, frustration and a thrashing

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15681658-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895627 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); The second half began at the same pace. Flamengo, scarring only from set pieces, nearly equalized in the first minute with a Marcelinho Paraíba free kick. However, Galo had the first clear chance. In the third minute, Ibson lost the ball in midfield and complained about the refereeing. On the next play, Castillo left Pedro Paulo in front of Bruno, who made a fine save to prevent Minas Gerais' second goal. \ With incredible freedom in attack, Atlético-MG continued to dominate. In the 8th minute, Renan Oliveira exchanged passes with Sheslon inside the box and fired a weak shot that Flamengo's goalkeeper saved in the right corner. In the 10th minute, a great chance for the Red-Blacks. At high speed, Marcelinho led a counterattack, passed to Vandinho, who found Ibson, unmarked in the box. The midfielder took a while to decide what to do, was marked by three Atlético players, and fired a weak shot that Juninho saved. This was the trigger for 70 fans to boo the number 7, who was once again substituted in the 15th minute, for Maxi. Before that, a controversy: in the 11th minute, Pedro Paulo burst into the box, collided with Ronaldo Angelim, and went down. Paulo César Oliveira allowed play to continue.\

var midiaEmbed = { theme: "darkgray", image: '/GMC/foto/0,,15681732-EX,00.jpg' , band: 'TIPO_TXT' , backgroundColor : "FFFFFF", fontColor : "000000", linkColor : "FF00FF", borderColor : "00FF00", autoStart: false, midiaId: 895636 }; var embed = new GMCEmbed(midiaEmbed); embed.print(); Completely disorganized and listless, Flamengo continued to be completely overwhelmed by Atlético-MG and conceded a second goal in the 19th minute. Castillo had his way with Jaílton on the left flank of the attack and fed Renan Oliveira behind the defense. The Minas Gerais striker controlled the ball unmarked on the penalty spot, thought, looked at Bruno, and beat the goalkeeper: 2-0.

In desperation, Caio Júnior called on Obina in the 24th minute and took Vandinho off the field. The crowd didn't approve of the substitution and didn't forgive the chants of "donkey." Two minutes later, Castillo once again threatened. The Bolivian headed the ball free in the box, but it hit Bruno's crossbar.

In the 28th minute, Serginho showed that Galo wasn't satisfied. The midfielder fired a shot from the edge of the box, forcing Bruno to make a great save in the left corner. But the next play proved unforgiving. Sheslon played a one-two with Castillo on the right, and the Bolivian, prone on the ground, passed the ball back to the full-back, who fired a cross-shot. Bruno palmed it away, and Leandro Almeida turned the score into a rout: 3-0, and the sixth-title celebration promised by Marcio Braga during the week began to take on Halloween-like tones.

THROW

Flamengo's chances of winning the title drop to 3%

Mathematician points to drop in Flamengo's chances after defeat at Maracanã

Bruno still believes in the Brasileirão title (Credit: Cleber Mendes)

LANCEPRESS!

With the 3-0 defeat to Altético-MG at Maracanã, Flamengo ends the 29th round outside the G-4. With 49 points, Rubro-Negro is in fifth place, three points behind Cruzeiro and São Paulo, third and fourth placed respectively.

According to mathematician Tristão Garcia, Flamengo's chances of winning the Brazilian Championship have been reduced to just 3%. Their chances of winning the Libertadores Cup are 41%. With the round over, Grêmio has a 40% chance of winning, Palmeiras 33%, Cruzeiro 13%, and São Paulo 9%. Botafogo and Coritiba have 1%.

Despite the 3% indicated by Tristão Garcia, goalkeeper Bruno does not give up on the idea of ​​winning the sixth championship, but comments on the defeat at Maracanã.

"Atlético imposed their rhythm and marked our strong point. They played defensively, and it was really difficult to break down their defense. But we tried our best and couldn't. Now, all we can do is work hard and continue to dream of winning the title," said the goalkeeper, still confident of winning the Brasileirão.

Flamengo returns to the field for the Brazilian Championship next Sunday, at 18:10 pm, at Maracanã, for the classic against the desperate Vasco.

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Fla embarrasses itself and succumbs to Galo

On a night when nothing went right, Rubro-Negro lost 3-0 at Maracanã and was unable to return to the G4 of the Brazilian Championship

Fla plays poorly and does not return to the G4 (Credit: Cleber Mendes)

Felipe David RIO DE JANEIRO \ \

With Grêmio, São Paulo, and Cruzeiro all winning in this 29th round of the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo had the obligation to earn three points against Atlético-MG this Saturday at Maracanã to return to the top four of the competition and once again dream of a sixth title. But they failed to do so.

blog Benja's take on this game

Attacking in a disorganized manner and without presenting a standard of play, the red-black team was unable to break through the Minas Gerais defense, giving up space and ending up defeated 3-0, with goals from Castillo, Renan Oliveira and Leandro Almeida.

With the result, Rubro-Negro remains with 49 points and remains in fifth place, while Galo, in turn, rises to 37 points, despite remaining in 12th place.

O JOGO

The match started off very tight and concentrated in the midfield due to mistakes from both teams, who studied each other on the field. But in less than four minutes, Flamengo had already reached the opposing goal, when Léo Moura lifted the ball into the Atlético penalty area and the defense cleared it.

In an attempt to break through Minas Gerais' defense, the Red-Blacks gave space to Galo, who threatened twice in a row. The most notable of these was Castillo, in the 25th minute, who received the ball on the right wing and crossed low for Pedro Paulo to beat, forcing Bruno to make a great save.

Although Marcelinho Paraíba took advantage of a cross from Léo Moura to head the ball onto the crossbar in the 27th minute, it was Atlético-MG who opened the scoring four minutes later, with Bolivian striker Castillo, who took advantage of a rebound from the red-black defense after a shot from Renan Oliveira to connect with a beautiful shot and score his first goal in the championship.

The goal came just as Flamengo was opening up to attack. Dissatisfied with Kleberson's performance, coach Caio Júnior made the first change of the match, replacing the defensive midfielder with Eric Flores. From then until the end of the half, the Minas Gerais team took advantage of Flamengo's need to attack by playing on the counterattack.

"The team tried to get into rhythm, but we ended up conceding. We missed a lot of silly balls. We'll try to get things right to tie the game in the second half," said Toró, heading out for halftime.

After halftime, Atlético Mineiro attacked the Galo in a disorganized manner for the first 15 minutes, but were unable to break through the Minas Gerais defense, which sparked anger among the players. Punishment was not long in coming: five minutes later, Pedro Paulo launched a swift counterattack, leaving Renan Oliveira face-to-face with the goal. The striker waited for Bruno to choose a side and fired into the right corner to extend Atlético's lead.

Lost on the field, Flamengo continued to give up space, so much so that in the 29th minute, Márcio Araújo received the ball in the box and shot across goal. Bruno mistimed the ball, dropping it to defender Leandro Almeida, who simply tapped it into the back of the net, sealing the match's final score.

In the next round, Flamengo will have the classic against Vasco, at Maracanã, on the 19th, while Atlético-MG will face Cruzeiro, at Mineirão, on the same day.

Caio Jr. tries to explain defeat at Maracanã

Criticized by fans, coach talks about the team's 'blackout'

Caio Jr. was one of the targets of the fans' anger at Maracanã (Credit: Cleber Mendes)

LANCEPRESS!

Much hostile after the 3-0 defeat to Atlético-MG, coach Caio Júnior even agreed with the fans' many complaints, but did not agree that the performance of Argentine Sambueza, who played improvised on the left side, was decisive for the result of the match.

According to the coach, it is not possible to make an analysis of