Michael scores twice as Flamengo beats Atlético-GO at Maracanã

With the result, the team reclaims second place in the table

By Paulo Neto* - in 05/11/2021 às 23:59

On Friday night (5), Flamengo beat Atlético Goianiense 2-1, at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 19th round of the Brazilian Championship. The game had been postponed in September, due to the FIFA Date for the dispute of the World Cup qualifiers.

With the return of Rodrigo Caio and David Luiz, Flamengo played a solid game and capitalized on moments of superiority to secure a result. With the victory, the team returns to second place in the Brazilian Championship and remains in contention.

The game

The first chance came from the right, as Isla ran down the field. The Chilean full-back crossed, and from the rebound, Everton Ribeiro took a shot; the ball hit the defense and went out for a corner. Rodrigo Caio headed the ball wide. Flamengo dominated the action and worked possession, seeking to find space in the opposing defense. Without the ball, they pressed hard.

In the 30th minute, Atlético-GO created a dangerous opportunity with a long ball through, but David Luiz closed the space well and blocked the shot. The referee then signaled offside. In the 32nd minute, after a corner kick was cleared by Atlético-GO's defense, the ball bounced in midfield and rolled until it reached Andreas Pereira on the right, who crossed for Rodrigo Caio to head in. Fernando Miguel saved it in the middle of the goal.

In the 35th minute, Flamengo's pressure paid off, and the team regained possession from the opponent's attack. Andreas found Gabi in midfield, who first-timed the ball to Bruno Henrique at the edge of the box; the Flamengo striker shot dangerously wide. Mengão almost opened the scoring. In the 43rd minute, Michael burst down the left, beat his marker, and delivered a dangerous cross. The ball went past everyone.

Flamengo's good form in the match finally paid off. After a beautiful pass from David Luiz, Everton Ribeiro received the ball on the right and found Isla charging toward the byline. The Chilean received the ball and found Michael in the middle of the box, who fired a shot into the net. It was the star's 17th goal for the Mais Querido: 1-0 Flamengo.

After the break, Flamengo quickly created a threat. After another pass from David Luiz, Everton Ribeiro received the ball on the right and crossed. Michael caught it first time with a beautiful shot, and the ball went dangerously wide of goalkeeper Fernando Miguel's left. In the 13th minute, Atlético-GO arrived on the left and, after a shot from Baralhas, Diego Alves made a safe save.

At 14, Renato made the team's first substitution: Andreas Pereira was replaced by Thiago Maia. Isla was then replaced by Matheuzinho.

In the 22nd minute, Michael played a pass to Gabi on the right; the Flamengo forward drove the ball to the edge of the box, cut inside, and shot. The ball deflected and flew dangerously wide. Flamengo almost increased the lead. From a corner kick, Everton Ribeiro found Rodrigo Caio, who headed the ball, but Fernando Miguel saved it.

In the 28th minute, Thiago Maia found Bruno Henrique in midfield, who worked with Gabi; following the play, Michael and Gabi exchanged passes in the box, and the short man finished into the back of the net. A stunning goal, Michael's second of the match, and his 18th for Mengão: 2-0 Flamengo.

In the 34th minute, Gabi found Everton Ribeiro in the box, who controlled the ball and shot without letting it drop. The shot went over the bar. The entries of Vitinho, João Gomes and Rodinei in place of Everton Ribeiro, Michael and Bruno Henrique, in the 40th minute of the second half, gave the team its final shape.

In the final stretch of the match, while Flamengo was still looking to attack, Atlético-GO's team came close to creating a lot of danger. Zé Roberto came out in front of the goal and hit hard, but Diego Alves made a brilliant save to keep the defense clean. The Mais Querido (the most beloved) even came close in the final minute: after a pass from David Luiz, Gabi's shot was blocked. There was no time for anything else, and the game at the Maracanã was over.

Next appointment

Rubro-Negro returns to the field next Monday (8) to face Chapecoense, at 20 pm, at Arena Condá, for the 30th round of the Brasileirão.

Technical sheet
Flamengo 2 x 0 Atlético-GO – 19th Round of the Brazilian Championship

Location: Maracanã

Date: 05 / 11 / 2021

Referee: Rodolpho Toski Marques (PR)

Assistants: Bruno Boschilia (PR) and Rafael Trombeta (PR)

Var: Rafael Traci (SC)

Yellow cards: Andreas and Gabi (FLA); Igor Cariús (Atl-GO)

Goals: Michael (43'1st half and 28'2nd half).

Flamengo lineup
Diego Alves; Isla (Matheuzinho), Rodrigo Caio, David Luiz and Ramon; Willian Arão, Andreas (Thiago Maia) and Everton Ribeiro (Vitinho); Michael (Rodinei), Bruno Henrique (João Gomes) and Gabi.

Coach: Renato Gaucho.

Atlético-GO lineup
Fernando Miguel; Dudu (Montenegro), Wanderson, Eder and Igor Cariús; William Maranhao, Marlon Freitas, Gabriel Baralhas (Toró) and João Paulo; Janderson (Oliveira) and André Luis (Zé Roberto).

Coach: Eduardo Souza

*Under supervision of Isabela Abirached