Despite failing to play well on a rain-soaked field, Flamengo defeated Atlético-MG 1-0 on Saturday night at Maracanã in the Brazilian Championship. The winning goal was scored by midfielder Cristian in the 30th minute of the second half.

The result moved the team further away from the relegation zone and could end the round among those who would qualify for the Copa Sudamericana. The team returns to action next Thursday, again at Maracanã, to face leaders São Paulo.

The first half was mostly played at a slow pace. The heavy turf prevented the players from taking many risks, significantly compromising the technical level of the match.

The proof of this was that Flamengo's only clear scoring opportunity came in the 43rd minute, when Maxi, unmarked and inside the box, shot weakly into the hands of goalkeeper Juninho. Before that, the team had been threatened by Juan's shot in the 9th minute and a free kick from the full-back from the edge of the box in the 39th minute. On both occasions, Atlético's goalkeeper saved without any major problems.

The visitors seemed satisfied with the way the game was played and only really threatened in the 35th minute, when Éder Luiz came from the left wing to the middle, hit a cross into the right corner and forced Bruno to make a great save, palming the ball out for a corner.

Flamengo came out faster in the second half, and Maxi, in the 7th and 13th minutes, only missed the lead thanks to Juninho making two fine saves. After these two chances, however, the team slowed down and returned to the sluggishness of the first half. Atlético, still seemingly intent on a draw, only threatened in the 22nd minute, with a Bilu shot from outside the box that Bruno palmed out for a corner.

The game seemed to be heading towards a 0-0 draw when, in the 30th minute, Cristian received the ball at the edge of the box and decided to take a risk: he shot low, hard, into the right corner of goalkeeper Juninho, who this time didn't get there in time: 1-0.

After the goal, the team began to manage the score and Atlético's anxiety, which launched itself into attack, but was close to equalizing only in the 46th minute, with a low shot from Leandro Almeida, which Bruno risked a glance and saw the ball pass close to the right post.

Flamengo had a chance to kill the game in the 37th minute, but Souza, who did not repeat his good performances from previous matches, shot wide after a quick counterattack.

FLAMENGO 1 x 0 ATLÉTICO-MG

Stadium: Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)\ Revenue / Attendance: R$ 299.130,00 / 41.783 paying spectators (47.301 present)\ Referee: Sálvio Spínola (Fifa-SP)\ Assistants: Luiz Carlos Teixeira (SP) and Márcio Luiz Augusto (SP)\ Yellow cards: Cláudio (A) Leandro Almeida (ATL); Fábio Luciano, Toró, Bruno (FLA)\ Goal: Cristian, 30 minutes into the second half.\

FLAMENGO\ Bruno, Leonardo Moura, Fabio Luciano, Ronaldo Angelim and Juan; Romulo, Jailton, Cristian and Toró (Leonardo); Maxi (Leo Medeiros) and Souza (Kayke).\ Coach: Joel Santana.\

Coach: Leão.