Reserves respond to Tite, and Flamengo gains breathing space by beating Fortaleza

Flamengo beat Fortaleza 2-0 this Sunday (05), at Arena Castelão, in a game valid for the 32nd round of the Brazilian championship. Rubro-Negro scored one in each half, with Pedro and Luiz Araújo, to recover from two consecutive defeats. Cebolinha, Pulgar and Filipe Luís were other positive highlights of the team led by Tite.

With the result, Rubro-Negro managed to gain a breather in the classification zone for the Libertadores. With 53 points, Flamengo is one victory away from a direct place in the South American tournament, with one game in hand. Fortaleza, on the other hand, was further away from the G-6 and is stuck in ninth place, with 42 points won.

Reserves do the job for Flamengo

Flamengo’s surprising improvement was felt from the opening minutes, and has a first and last name: Erick Pulgar. With the Chilean, Rubro-Negro is another team in midfield, and the offensive transition becomes much easier. Tite’s men had more volume than Fortaleza in the first stage, even the defense suffered less than in the last games. The visitors even had a move in which they asked for a penalty, which was ignored by Anderson Daronco.

Absences were transformed into good performances. Without Bruno Henrique, Gabigol and Gerson, Tite opted for an attack formed by Cebolinha and Luiz Araújo. The duo participated a lot in the first 45 minutes, supporting defense and attack. The former Grêmio man had a great chance to score, but stopped at João Ricardo, while the number 31 showed desire and desire to recover the play that culminated in Pedro’s goal.

It was the center forward’s second consecutive goal at Tite’s Flamengo. Highlight for Pulgar’s light cut, which killed Fortaleza’s defense. The initial stage did not have that negative highlight. If Filipe Luís lacks breath in defense, he has intelligence and technique in attack. Matheuzinho filled Wesley’s gap well, and the defense duo had a consistent performance. Rossi, when required, with a kick from Marinho, saved.

The second half had the same highlights as the initial stage. Cebolinha, Luiz Araújo and Pulgar continued to command Flamengo, especially the second, who, in Trivela’s opinion, was the best on the team at Arena Castelão. Despite this, Tite had to change a lot in the team due to physical problems: Arrascaeta left, as did Thiago Maia, for Victor Hugo and Rodrigo Caio. To give you an idea, Rubro-Negro ended the game without any center forwards.

Even so, Flamengo’s defense suffered in just a few moments. Fortaleza’s big chance came in the first five minutes of the second half, with a shot from outside the area by Lucas Crispim, which exploded onto Rossi’s post. Furthermore, the home team finished more, with little precision. In the end, Flamengo ended up expanding and sealing the victory, with Luiz Araújo.

Flamengo’s second and final goal rewarded the great performances of Filipe Luís and Luiz Araújo. The full-back was fundamental in the table with Ayrton Lucas, who provided the assist for the red-and-black standout in Fortaleza. Another special goal, this time from Everton Ribeiro. Fundamental victory for Tite’s men.

Fortaleza misses the chance to get closer to the G-6

The defeat at home was terrible for Leão do Piçi, who found themselves further away from the classification zone for the Libertadores. Fortaleza returns to the field on the same day as Flamengo, as they will face Athletico Paranaense next Wednesday (08) at 8pm (Brasília time), at the Ligga Arena, the new name of the old Arena da Baixada.

Flamengo calms down and aims for higher flights

The triumph in Fortaleza made Rubro-Negro open up the distance to Athletico and begin to dream, once again, of a direct place in the Libertadores. Flamengo returns to the field next Wednesday (08), to face Palmeiras, precisely in a direct confrontation, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã.

Fortaleza x Flamengo statistics – Brazilian Championship

• Ball possession: Fortaleza 52% x 48% Flamengo
• Kicks: Fortaleza 16 x 7 Flamengo
• Shots on goal: Fortaleza 4 x 5 Flamengo
• Goals: Fortaleza – ; Flamengo – Pedro, at 45′ in the 1st Q and Luiz Araújo, at 43′ in the 2nd Q