In Fábio’s inspired night, Fluminense and Atlético-MG tie for the Brazilian Championship

The match played at Raulino de Oliveira in Volta Redonda pitted two of the best teams in Brazil so far. Despite the controversial departure of Eduardo Coudet from Galo (a position occupied by Luiz Felipe Scolari, “Felipão”), the Atlético team had a good performance against a fierce but uninspired Fluminense team, which depended on a gala night by goalkeeper Fábio , used to facing Galo due to his long history at Cruzeiro (local rival of the alvinegro club)

The beginning of the game looked promising, with Fluminense implying that they would have the reins of the game and just after eight minutes Cano scared the ball when the visiting team left the ball. However, Atlético began to show the strength of their team mainly on the left side of the attack when Paulinho released a bomb for Fábio’s excellent defense. The alvinegro team gradually improved and its left side continued to give work to the tricolor defense. Around the 21st minute, in a fast counterattack, Paulinho again forced Fábio to make another great save and shortly afterwards it was Hulk who forced the experienced goalkeeper to make another good intervention.

However, with so much pressure, Galo took the lead on the scoreboard: Arana crossed from the left and Guga scored against his own goal in the 34th minute, 1 to 0. The goal that seemed to leave Atlético Mineiro in the first half of the game was the necessary pressure to Fluminense agreed to press and tie the game with a great goal by Samuel Xavier (taking advantage of the ball poorly cleared by the Atletica defense) already in stoppage time in the first half of the game and then yes, giving final numbers to the first half in a 1-1 tie.

^{Samuel Xavier celebrates the equalizing goal at the end of the first half. (Photo: Reproduction from internet/Twitter)}

At the beginning of the second half, Atlético pressed and Fábio shone again: Pavón made a great move and crossed the ball for good intervention by the goalkeeper, who appeared again in a lyric finish made by Hyoran. Fluminense discreetly scared with Cano who shot over the top, but Mariano again showed the good power of the Rooster and stopped the tricolor goalkeeper.

The second half of the game was gradually cooling down and Fluminense was only in danger with Pirani in a good move on the left side of attack while Atlético tried some escapes on the right side, without much success. With that, all expectations generated for the second half of the match turned into a great stagnation that culminated in the tie.

In the next round, Fluminense receives Bahia in Maracanã at 18:30 while Atlético Mineiro goes to the Northeast on the same day and time to face Fortaleza.

Featured Photo: In a match marked by a great first half but a less than expected second half, Fluminense and Atlético-MG did not leave the tie playing in Volta Redonda. (Photo: Reproduction/Globo Esporte)