Flamengo didn't make a good start to the Brazilian Championship. Playing at Mineirão Stadium, the red-and-black team conceded numerous goals and ended up losing 2-0 to Cruzeiro, with goals from Kléber and Ramirez. The Gávea team now turns its attention to the Copa do Brasil, as Flamengo faces Internacional at Maracanã on Wednesday in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

The match was lively from the start, with both teams pushing for a goal. In the first minute, Kléber received the ball from Wagner at the edge of the penalty area, shot hard, and Bruno made a beautiful save. The red-and-black team responded in the seventh minute. Ibson made a great play and passed to Kleberson, who missed a great chance one-on-one with Fábio.

Cuca's team played well, and Everton nearly opened the scoring in the 13th minute. The number 22 dribbled past Leo Fortunato, burst into the box, and fired a powerful shot. Fábio saved another. A minute later, Emerson headed the ball in the six-yard box; the ball hit Jancarlos' hand, who was on the line. Referee Paulo César Oliveira awarded a penalty and sent off the Minas Gerais full-back. Juan took the shot, and Fábio saved it with his feet. The full-back tried to head the rebound, but the Cruzeiro goalkeeper saved again.

Even down ten men, Cruzeiro opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Welinton brought down Wagner in the penalty area. The penalty was awarded. Kléber converted the ball well and scored the first: 1-0 Cruzeiro. In the 30th minute, Cuca replaced Willians with Everton Silva, as the Flamengo midfielder had already received a yellow card. In the last good chance of the first half, Kleberson headed dangerously, scaring Fábio.

The second half began with Flamengo pressing and Cruzeiro exploiting counterattacks. In the 13th minute, Cuca took off Emerson and brought on Josiel. In the 17th minute, Kleberson threatened again with a dangerous header. Flamengo invested in aerial plays, and Josiel, in the 28th minute, nearly equalized with a header. A minute later, Erick Flores came on for Airton.

In the 32nd minute, Fabrício took a free kick that sailed over Bruno's crossbar. Soon after, Erick Flores made a beautiful individual play in Cruzeiro's penalty area, but the midfielder's shot was saved by Fábio. In the 38th minute, Everton Silva made a good run down the right and crossed for Everton, who headed wide. In the 44th minute, Ramires received a through ball, dribbled past Welinton, and shot toward goal: 2-0 Cruzeiro.

CREDITS:

CRUZEIRO 2 X 0 FLAMENGO

Stadium: Mineirão, Belo Horizonte (BH)\ Date/time: 10/5/2009 - 16:14 p.m. (Brasília time)\ Referee: Paulo César Oliveira (SP)\ Assistants: Ednilson Corona (SP) and Emerson Augusto de Carvalho (SP)\ Yellow cards: Henrique, Wágner, Gerson Magrão (CRU); Willians, Ronaldo Angelim, Emerson (FLA)\ Red card: Jancarlos, 1'/29st half.\ Goals: Wágner, 1'/1st half (0-44); Ramires, 2'/2nd half (0-XNUMX)\

CRUZEIRO: Fabio, Jancarlos, Leo Fortunato, Leonardo Silva and Gerson Magrão; Henrique, Marquinhos Paraná, Ramires and Wagner (Athirson, 34'/1st half); Thiago Ribeiro (Fabrício, 21'/1st half) and Kléber (Elicarlos, 23'/2nd half). Coach: Adilson Batista.

FLAMENGO: Bruno; Aírton (Erick Flores, 29'/2nd half), Welinton, and Ronaldo Angelim; Léo Moura, Willians (Everton Silva, 30'/1st half), Kleberson, Ibson and Juan; Everton and Emerson (Josiel, 13'/2nd half). Coach: Cuca.