Flamengo draws with Ponte Preta at Maracanã and advances in the Copa do Brasil

Flamengo draws with Ponte Preta at the Maracanã and advances in the Copa do Brasil.

With a 1-0 aggregate score, Flamengo secures a spot in the quarterfinals.

By Flamengo Communication - in 10/05/2018 às 21:18

Flamengo drew 0-0 with Ponte Preta in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. With a 1-0 victory in the first leg, the result was enough to secure Flamengo's place in the quarterfinals on aggregate. Once again, the fans showed their support with 55.822 supporters in attendance.

Fan club members have the pride of playing alongside each victory: the money goes to football and brings more reinforcements, new talent, and infrastructure to the training center. And they also have advantages in official stores to buy the jersey and wear it with pride! Click and join now.

A lively first half with chances, but no goals.

The game started intensely at the Maracanã. Both teams went out looking for a result, making the match open and creating space for attacks. Flamengo, thanks to the quality of its players, dominated the action during the first 45 minutes. Everton Ribeiro, Lucas Paquetá, and Vinicius Junior demonstrated the teamwork that has characterized their recent games, with good passes, intricate plays, and creating opportunities for the attacking system to beat the opposing goalkeeper.

Just five minutes in, Flamengo had their first chance. At the moment of the shot, the attack got tangled up and the defense cleared. At 13 minutes, Lucas Paquetá threatened. A minute later, a beautiful play between the midfielders almost resulted in a spectacular goal, but the Ponte Preta defense cleared it.

Flamengo would create four more opportunities. First, Paquetá decided to try his luck from outside the box in the 22nd minute, but the ball went wide. In the 26th minute, Rodinei, who completed 100 games wearing the sacred jersey, dribbled past the opposing defense and assisted Vinicius Junior, whose shot went wide.

The fans pushed forward and the team responded. In the 29th minute, the ball crossed the area twice, but didn't go in. And finally, Vinicius Junior tried in the 37th minute with a volley, but it didn't pose a threat.

Second half truncated

The final stage was different from the first: a disjointed game, Ponte Preta playing defensively and exploiting counter-attacks with what's known as "one-goal" plays. Flamengo couldn't find many openings.

After 15 minutes, Barbieri brought on Guerrero and Jean Lucas in place of Henrique Dourado and Geuvânio. Looking to further engage the opponent, the substitutions ignited the team in the following minutes, but the opposing defense managed to withstand the onslaught.

The best chance of the second half came in the 37th minute. With a great shot from outside the box, Everton Ribeiro volleyed the ball with his left foot, forcing a great save from the goalkeeper. Flamengo kept pressing.

At 39 minutes, however, a scare. Felipe Cardoso penetrated the Flamengo penalty area, shot, and the ball hit the post. On the rebound, Diego Alves caught it.

The team tried again, but the result remained the same. Now it's time to focus on the Brasileirão and face Chapecoense in Chapecó to maintain the lead in the competition.

And now?

Having qualified for the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil, Flamengo awaits the draw to find out their opponent in the next round. The competition will only resume after the World Cup.