Flamengo fights hard, draws twice, is punished at the end, and loses its first game in the Brazilian Championship.
Despite the defeat, Mais Querido leads the competition due to goal difference.
By Lucas Dantas - in
Flamengo traveled to Chapecó this Sunday for another challenge in the Brazilian Championship. Leading the league, the team wanted to maintain its position in the standings, but also had its focus on Wednesday's match in the Conmebol Libertadores. Because of this, and thinking about giving some players a rest, Mauricio Barbieri fielded a mixed team, but with some of his main players in the squad. Juan, Diego, and Guerrero started the match, with Vinicius Junior, Henrique Dourado, and Cuéllar entering in the second half. The result, however, was not good. The team ended up losing to Chapecoense 3-2, even after equalizing the match twice. Flamengo's goals were scored by Guerrero and Vinicius Junior in the second half.
Now, Flamengo focuses on the game against Emelec on Wednesday at the Maracanã, for the fourth round of the Libertadores Cup. A simple victory qualifies the team early for the second phase of the competition. In the Brazilian Championship, the team will return to the field next Saturday at 19 pm, in the classic against Vasco da Gama, also at the Maracanã, for the sixth round.
The game
With a strong sun and both teams cautiously sizing each other up, the first half lacked excitement. Chapecoense were the first to create a chance and almost opened the scoring. In the fifth minute, Leandro Pereira rose higher than the defense and headed dangerously wide. Flamengo's first good opportunity came only in the 14th minute. Guerrero made a good run down the left, picked up the bouncing ball, and shot powerfully, but wide. But it was the home team that took the lead. Apodi went down the right and crossed for Canteros to score in the 23rd minute.
Feeling the lack of cohesion in the starting lineup, Flamengo took a while to get going. At 28 minutes, Jonas made a good individual play and shot from distance, but it went wide. At 34 minutes, Pará took a long-range free kick that Jandrei saved. That was Flamengo's last good chance, and the first half ended in defeat.
Barbieri didn't make any changes to the team that returned for the final 45 minutes. Three minutes in, the equalizer came. And it was what the fans had been waiting for. A free kick for Flamengo just outside the penalty area. Guerrero asked for the ball. The Peruvians showed good teamwork. Trauco headed the ball to Paolo, but there was no stopping it. One-all on the scoreboard. Guerrero hadn't scored for Flamengo since September 17th, against Sport, in the Brazilian Championship. Flamengo were buoyed by the result and pressed forward. In the 14th minute, Marlos exchanged passes with Diego and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Jandrei made the save. Three minutes later, Guerrero had another chance, but shot wide from the edge of the area. The team was punished in the 20th minute. Guilherme was fouled in the penalty area, took the penalty himself, and put Chapecoense back in front.
Barbieri made a change. He took off Jean Lucas and put on Vinicius Junior. And it worked very well. In his first play, the youngster tied the game. Trauco, again, delivered a perfect cross and the number 20 scored. The draw put Flamengo in sole possession of the league lead, but in the last minute, a punishment fell upon the team. Arthur crossed for Leandro Pereira to anticipate the marking and score Chape's third goal, practically at the end of the match, sealing their first defeat in the competition.