Rio – To dispel doubts about good performances at the beginning of the calendar of the main competitions, Flamengo went to the field this Wednesday (17) and convinced. With an impressive volume of play and just a slight scare at the end of the second half, the team led by Tite beat São Paulo by a score of 2-1 and took the lead at the end of the second round of the Brasileirão. The goals were scored by Luiz Araújo and De la Cruz, while Ferreira pulled one back for the visitors in the final stretch.
With that, Rubro-Negro reached six points with two wins in two games at the start of the competition and now focuses on the duel with Palmeiras. The match will be away from home, at Allianz Parque, on Sunday (21), at 4pm.
The game
Taking advantage of the space, Luiz enforced the famous “ex law” in his first moves. At 19, the number seven received the ball from De la Cruz at the edge of the area on the right, cut to the middle and hit a beautiful left-handed finish. The ball went to Rafael’s right corner, hit the post and ended up in the back of the net.
Even with Arrascaeta spared, the creation phase was not harmed in the first stage. The scheme with De la Cruz, responsible for this, meant that Fla was in danger every time it approached the São Paulo area. Tricolor Paulista, in turn, truncated the game in midfield and looked for plays with Calleri, a technical reference for the team that is facing a complicated moment with absences – Lucas, Wellington Rato and James Rodríguez are the main ones.
In the second stage, the game, which was already extremely favorable to Flamengo, improved conditions even further. São Paulo exposed itself with substitutions at the starting points, and Rubro-Negro went all out. In the first attacks, Bruno Henrique and Ayrton Lucas, on the left side, led the beginning of the pressure.
Within a few minutes, the second goal already seemed “ripe”. And so it was. At eight, Pedro disarmed Igor Vinícius and started the play in the attacking field. The ball fell to the number nine, who cleared the defense and hit the left corner for a good save by Rafael, who was unable to clear the rebound from De la Cruz. The Uruguayan finished first and extended the score at Maracanã.
Of the recent commitments, Flamengo’s performance in the second stage against São Paulo was the one that most “filled the eyes”. Engaging in the attacking field and quick to build, Tite’s team got the better of the clashes mainly on the sides of the pitch and accumulated good scoring chances. Highlight for Allan and Pulgar, who also worked as organizers, increasing the range and spacing the team seeking depth. However, it was still necessary to pay close attention to the attacks from São Paulo.
In the 30th minute of the second half, Tite brought on midfielder Gerson, who had been out since February due to a kidney problem. The midfielder replaced De la Cruz, who was applauded, and also received much applause upon his return to the field.
Failure of one of the main weapons
When the match seemed under control for Flamengo, an unusual error ended up resulting in São Paulo’s goal. In the 33rd minute, Alisson found a cross at the second post, the ball crossed the entire area and Ferreira appeared behind Varela’s back to head it in and reduce it. The goal conceded shut down Rubro-Negro, who were unable to maintain their level of performance in the last minutes.
Despite the pressure in the attacking field and the good attacks, São Paulo were unable to snatch a draw at Maracanã. Another victory for Flamengo, the second in two games, and the maintenance of the good undefeated series in 2024.
Flamengo 2 x 1 São Paulo
Location: Maracanã
Date and time: 17/4 (Wednesday), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time)
Arbitration: Anderson Daronco
Assistants: Rafael da Silva Alves and Mauricio Coelho Penna
Goals: Luiz Araújo 19’/1st T and De la Cruz (FLA); Ferreira 33’/2T (SAO)
Yellow cards: Fabrício Bruno (FLA); Igor Vinícius, Luciano and Michel Araújo (SAO)
FLAMENGO: Rossi; Varela, Fabrício Bruno, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Erick Pulgar, Allan (Igor Jesus) and De la Cruz (Gerson); Bruno Henrique (Victor Hugo), Everton Cebolinha (Luiz Araújo) and Pedro. Coach: Tite.
SÃO PAULO: Rafael; Igor Vinícius, Ferraresi (Erick), Arboleda, Diego Costa and Welington; Pablo Maia (Juan), Alisson and Michel Araújo (Ferreira); Luciano and Calleri (André Silva). Coach: Thiago Caripini.
