In a game valid for the fourth round of the Brasileirão, Flamengo went to Curitiba and ended up suffering a 2-1 defeat to Athletico-PR on Sunday afternoon (7), at Arena da Baixada. Gabi, from a penalty, scored the only red-black goal in the game.

The game
The match began with both teams scrutinizing each other. Flamengo's first sharp move came just five minutes in. Erick passed to Ayrton Lucas on the left; the full-back struck hard, and the ball was deflected for a corner. The red-and-black team exchanged passes and moved the ball around the attacking half.

In the 13th minute, Cebolinha received the ball on the left, carried it into the box, and was brought down by Fernandinho. The referee, on the spot, awarded a penalty. Gabigol stepped up to take the kick and slotted it into the goalkeeper's right corner to open the scoring at Arena da Baixada: 1-0.  

At 28', Athletico tied the match with Vitor Roque, who deflected a ball thrown into the area and deceived goalkeeper Santos: 1-1. The first half ended all square.

In the second half, coach Jorge Sampaoli changed his lineup, bringing on Arrascaeta for Everton Ribeiro. With the majority of possession, the red-and-black team exchanged passes in the attacking midfield. In the 15th minute, Erick delivered a good pass to Gabi, who found Cebolinha open. The striker fired a shot into the corner, and goalkeeper Bento palmed it away for a corner.

In the 22nd minute, Matheus França found Gabi, the number 10 unleashed a powerful shot, and Bento once again saved Athletico from conceding a second. In the 34th minute, Athletico scored their second through Erick, who finished inside the six-yard box to make it 2-1. Goalkeeper Santos collided with an opposing player and was replaced by Matheus Cunha.

Flamengo sought a draw until the end, but ended up suffering defeat in Curitiba.

Next appointment
Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Wednesday (10) to face Goiás, at 20 pm, at Maracanã, for the fifth round of the Brasileirão.

Flamengo lineup
Santos (Matheus Cunha); Wesley, Fabrício Bruno, Leo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick, Thiago Maia (Victor Hugo) and Everton Ribeiro (Arrascaeta); Matheus França (Marinho), Everton Cebolinha and Gabi.
Coach: Jorge Sampaoli.

Athletico-PR lineup
Bento; Khellven, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno and Pedrinho; Fernandinho, Erick (Hugo Moura) and Christian; Terans (Pablo), Romulo (Thiago Andrade) and Vitor Roque (Canobbio).
Coach: Paulo Turra.  

Technical sheet
Athlético-PR 2x1 Flamengo – 4th Round of the Brazilian Championship
Location: Baixada Arena – Curitiba-PR
Date: 07 / 05 / 2023
Referee: Raphael Claus (SP), Danilo Ricardo Manis (SP) and Marcelo Van Gasse (SP)
Yellow cards: Gabi (FLA), Erick (CAP), Erick (FLA), Fernandinho (CAP)
Goals: Gabi (14'1st half), Vitor Roque (28'1st half) and Erick (34'2nd half).