In the 21st round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo lost to Grêmio 1-0 on Sunday night (19), at Maracanã. With a lackluster performance, Mais Querido fails to add three points at home, and now focuses on Wednesday's game (22) against Barcelona de Guayaquil-EQU, at Maraca, for the semifinal of the Conmebol Libertadores.

The game
Flamengo started the match trying to build momentum in attack and pressure Grêmio's attacking play. With the majority of possession, the red-and-black team occupied the attacking half and exchanged passes to try to open up the Grêmio defense.

In the 31st minute, Andreas made a good play in the middle and passed to Michael. The ball deflected off the marker and fell to Everton Ribeiro, just outside the box. The number 7 fired a first-time shot over the goal.

Six minutes later, Andreas took a corner kick and Léo Pereira headed it firmly, but Chapecó made a good save. Late in the first half, Grêmio opened the scoring with Borja's header, following a Ferreirinha cross: 1-0. Fla went into halftime trailing.

In the second half, Flamengo continued to dominate possession but struggled to break into Grêmio's box. In the 32nd minute, Kenedy replaced Michael to make his debut with the Manto.

In stoppage time, after consulting VAR, the referee signaled a handball by Léo Pereira inside the box. Borja took the shot, and Diego Alves saved it in the right corner, denying Grêmio a second goal. Flamengo pushed hard in the final minutes, but failed to find the net and left the field defeated.

Next appointment
The Most Beloved returns to the field next Wednesday (22) to face Barcelona de Guayaquil, at 21:30 pm, at Maracanã, for the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores semifinals.

Flamengo lineup
Diego Alves; Isla (Matheuzinho), Rodrigo Caio, Leo Pereira and Renê; Willian Arão, Andreas (Thiago Maia), Everton Ribeiro (Bruno Henrique) and Vitinho (Pedro); Michael (Kenedy) and Gabi.
Coach: Renato Gaucho.

Gremio lineup
Gabriel Chapecó (Brenno); Vanderson, Ruan, Rodrigues and Rafinha (Cortez); Thiago Santos, Lucas Silva (Mateus Sarará) and Villasanti; Ferreira (Léo Pereira), Alisson (Diogo Barbosa) and Borja.
Coach: Felipão.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 0x1 Grêmio – 21st Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Maracanã-RJ
Date: 19 / 09 / 2021
Referee: Marielson Alves Silva (BA)
Assistants: Alessandro Alvaro Rocha de Matos (BA) and Elicarlos Franco de Oliveira (BA)
Yellow cards: Borja (GRE), Thiago Santos (GRE), Isla (FLA), Vanderson (GRE), Bruno Henrique (FLA), Mateus Sarará (GRE) and Rodrigo Caio (FLA)
Goals: Borja (47'1st half).