Analysis: Diniz’s tests have different results in an easy victory for Fluminense | fluminense

Sampaio Corrêa 0 x 2 Fluminense | Best moments | 3rd phase | Brazil Cup 2024

Of all the clashes in this third phase of the Copa do Brasil, the one between Fluminense and Sampaio Corrêa is perhaps the one that brings the greatest disparity between the teams. This is the current champion of Conmebol Libertadores against a rival from the third division of Brazilian football. The design on the field followed what was expected: ample control and no scares suffered — the Maranhão team finished zero times against Fábio’s goal.

There was a moment in the first half when Fluminense had 90% possession of the ball. In the first stage, Sampaio Corrêa saw the ball pass through the Tricolor area in just one opportunity — and it wasn’t even a dangerous move. In the second, some sprints from Pimentinha and that was it. The technical difference was so striking as to make a deeper assessment difficult. O Fluminense He won because he is much superior to his opponent.

Tactically speaking, Fernando Diniz’s choice to place Renato Augusto as a kind of false 9 brought bonuses and burdens. The idea worked: the number 20 pushed the opponent’s defense back and created space for his teammates. Due to the lack of integration, the scheme had fluidity problems, but it worked. On the other hand, there is the impression that it is a tremendous waste to have a player of this quality fulfilling this role.

Marquinhos once again started at right-back, but played as a winger for practically the entire game. The fans are rooting for it, but I think it’s more due to a lack of understanding: Fluminense doesn’t play statically and their presence there aims to create numerical superiority. Being “right-back” is just a nickname that is rarely fulfilled when the ball rolls. Terans finally delivered minutes worthy of praise. In the second half, acting closer to the goal, he had the freedom to finish and reminded him — a little — of that Athletico midfielder.

Felipe Andrade deserves a separate paragraph. Due to the scarcity of defenders in the squad and problems in the sector, his starting position is requested by fans. But his best performances were as the first midfielder. The time will come when we will debate whether, with André’s injury, it is not worth testing him in this role to regain all of Martinelli’s qualities as a second midfield man. Until then, having him in defense is more necessary.

Not to say that everything was perfect, there were moments when Fluminense seemed stuck. Sampaio Corrêa made it difficult for the attack to infiltrate by climbing a line of five defenders. Then, Tricolor repeated a scenario where they had possession of the ball, but rotated it slowly and found no space in the middle. The solution came from shots from outside the area. Marquinhos and Douglas Costa almost scored. It was up to Lima (or Terans, according to the scoresheet) to open the scoring in this way.

In the second stage, Sampaio Corrêa made substitutions and tried to open up the attack, but ran into his own limitations. He continued without having any chance of danger. But he started to give more space to Fluminense, who took a while to transform the numerical advantage of counterattacks into goals. The reason is a repetitive problem:

Fluminense surpassed the marking line, had an open path to accelerate, but hit the brakes and allowed the defense to recover. There’s no point in having a good ball output if the attack doesn’t take advantage of it.

It was common to see moves like this: Arias (for example) received a good pass and had space to start in the middle. He was one-on-one against an opponent. But instead of continuing, he decided to stop the play and wait for his teammates to arrive. The defense managed to recover and the attack went back to square one. This lack of building sharper attacks has already been seen in other games and is somewhat repetitive.

Diniz resolved this issue, in part, when Alexsander and Kauã Elias entered in the second half. The duo, who usually bet on more vertical plays, gave a new dynamic to the team. Before Arias took the penalty that made it 2-0, Fluminense could have already expanded.

In the end, the impression is positive. Even with reserves, coach Fernando Diniz’s team managed to be as dominant as fans are used to. The level will rise against Atlético-MG, but the expectation is that the performance will be maintained.

The second game of the clash between Fluminense and Sampaio Corrêa will be on May 22nd, at Maracanã, at 7pm. Advancement to the round of 16 is worth R$3.465 million to the qualified team.

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