On Thursday night (21.01), Flamengo took to the field against Ceará for another test in the 2016 pre-season. In the friendly match for the Taça Asa Branca, the team from the Northeast took the trophy: after a 3-3 draw in regular time, the team from Ceará won in the penalty shootout, 4-3.

Despite the result, the game was a good opportunity for Muricy Ramalho to test his options in the squad and develop the red-black team, which has many new faces for this year.

"We've had a problem since last year, which is passing. I liked the speed with which we got the ball out in the second half. Mancuello is an interesting player, he passes the ball well, he'll be very important for us this season and he's not even at full fitness yet," analyzed Muricy.

"I'm happy, I'm grateful for the fans' support, and for Muricy's support. Unfortunately, we didn't win the first match, but I'm excited and at the same time calm about playing at Maracanã. I'm doing really well here, the fans are treating me really well, we're going to give it our all this year," said Mancuello, who had a good performance in his debut match.

The team has another friendly match ahead, on Sunday (24.01), this time against Santa Cruz, in Pernambuco, at Arruda. Click here to buy your tickets.

Fan club members have access to an exclusive promotion: sign up for EIPlus and get a 50% discount on your monthly fee to watch this game. Not a fan club member yet? Click here and sign up now!

Ceará opens up an advantage
Playing at home, Ceará took the initiative in attack. Guerrero narrowly missed reaching the ball just outside the six-yard box in the second minute, following a cross from Gabriel, but the opposition was more dangerous offensively. In the 26th minute, Siloé opened the scoring with a shot from inside the penalty area. Flamengo looked for space to react but couldn't find the final pass. Guerrero created the best chances for Flamengo in the second minute and then in the 26rd, but goalkeeper Éverson managed to keep out the Peruvian's attacks.

In the second half, Muricy Ramalho took advantage of the friendly to test his squad options. From the starting lineup, only Emerson, Guerrero, Wallace, and Paulo Victor remained; Chiquinho, Canteros, Mancuello, Marcelo Cirino, Pará, Jonas, and César Martins came in. Ceará's coach, Lisca, changed his starting eleven. Trailing on the scoreboard, Flamengo went on the attack and created their best move so far, just two minutes in. A one-two between Guerrero and Cirino from the right caused the number 7 to send a dangerous cross that forced the Ceará goalkeeper to clear for a corner. But on the counterattack, Bill scored, extending Ceará's lead to 2-0.

Red-black reaction
In the 13th minute, Mancuello delivered his calling card. The Argentine provided a masterful pass to Emerson, who broke through on the right side of the penalty area and, from a near-miss angle, bulged the side netting to make it 2-1. With an inspired Mancuello, the red-and-blacks' comeback continued, and in the 24th minute, Emerson hit the post, but the game was already stopped for offside. The equalizer came in the 36th minute: Emerson carried the ball down the right, crossed into the middle of the box for Guerrero, but before the Peruvian could score, Salazar scored an own goal. Five minutes later, Cirino scored the equalizer, but after the ball was cleared, Ceará leveled the score again: 3-3.

Penalty shootout
In the best-of-five shootout series, Ceará prevailed, winning 4-3. Emerson, Alan Patrick, and Cirino converted for Flamengo. Douglas Dias saved Wallace's penalty, and Guerrero's shot hit the crossbar.