In the 23rd round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo lost to Athletico-PR 3-0 this Wednesday (13), at the Kleber Andrade stadium, in Cariacica-ES. Now, Rubro-Negro focuses on the first leg of the grand final of the Copa do Brasil against São Paulo, on Sunday (17).

The game
Flamengo started the match valuing possession and exchanging passes in the attacking half. Flamengo's first good attack came just two minutes in. Gerson headed the ball to Pedro, who passed it to Gabi, who burst into the box and struck first time. Léo Linck made a good save and sent the ball out for a corner.

With greater play, the red-and-black team dominated the attacking half, but struggled to penetrate Athletico's box. In the 18th minute, Cebolinha controlled the ball on the left, cut inside, and took a shot, but Léo Linck made the save.

Athletico took the lead in the 26th minute. Vítor Bueno took a shot from the edge of the box, but the ball deflected off Pedro, making it difficult for Matheus Cunha to save. Cacá grabbed the rebound and opened the scoring in Cariacica: 1-0.  

Flamengo nearly equalized late in the first half. Gabi sent a corner kick to the near post, Léo Pereira headed toward goal, and Madson saved it on the line. The team from Paraná went into halftime with the advantage.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli returned for the second half with two substitutions: Everton Ribeiro for Victor Hugo and Allan for David Luiz. With these changes, the red-and-black team became a bit more organized defensively, but still struggled to create attacking chances.

In the 20th minute, Gabi received a straight red card for elbowing Cuello, leaving the team ten men down. Flamengo created a good chance in the 30th minute. Gerson made a good play and passed to Pedro, who fired a shot into the corner, but the goalkeeper made another good save.

In the final minutes, Athletico extended the lead with Alex Santana, who finished first time into the right corner of Matheus Cunha: 2-0. In stoppage time, the team from Paraná also scored the third from a penalty with Pablo.

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro will face São Paulo on Sunday (17), at 16 pm, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final.

Flamengo
Matheus Cunha; Fabrício Bruno, David Luiz (Allan) (Igor Jesus) and Leo Pereira; Wesley, Thiago Maia, Gerson, Victor Hugo (Everton Ribeiro) and Everton Cebolinha; Gabi and Pedro.
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli.

Athletico-PR
Léo Linck; Madson (Bruno Peres), Cacá, Thiago Heleno and Esquivel; Hugo Moura (Alex Santana), Erick, Zapelli (Willian) and Vítor Bueno; Cuello (Rômulo) and Pablo.
Coach: Wesley Carvalho.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 0x3 Athletico-PR – 23nd Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Kleber Andrade Stadium, Cariacica-ES
Date and time: 13/09/2023 at 21:30 pm
Refereeing: Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS), Mauricio Coelho Silva Penna (RS) and Maira Mastella Moreira (RS)
Yellow cards: Wesley (FLA), Everton Ribeiro (FLA), Hugo Moura (CAP), Alex Santana (CAP)
Red card: Gabi (FLA)
Goals: Cacá (26'1st half), Alex Santana (38'2nd half) and Pablo (51'2nd half).