Maringá beats Flamengo 2-0 in the Copa do Brasil

On the night of this Thursday (13), the Maringá beat Flamengo 2-0 at the Willie Davids stadium in Maringá. The team from Paraná had a great match and will go into the return game with a good lead on the scoreboard.

_{Serginho celebrating the goal scored against Flamengo (Photo: Fernando Terematsu/Maringá)}

· About the game

The current champion of the Copa do Brasil lost another match, this time against Maringá. The team from Paraná dominated the game, pressing Flamengo at all times and creating good opportunities. On the red-black side, Gabriel tried some submissions but was unsuccessful.

Maringá’s first goal came in the 37th minute of the first half. After a good launch by Raphinha, Matheus Bianqui headed into the middle of the small area. David Luiz, the Red-Black defender, ended up hitting the ball accidentally and it went into the goal. The bid was reviewed by VAR because Bianchi appeared to be in an offside position, but the goal was subsequently validated.

In the second stage, Flamengo continued to be unable to play due to pressure and also failed to create good opportunities in the attack. On the other hand, it was totally different: Maringá did not slow down and continued to take advantage of the Rio team’s mistakes. Right at the beginning of the second half, Serginho sent a bomb over Santos’ goal. The home team continued to attack until, in the 12th minute, Bianchi received a great deep pass on the right side of the field and advanced behind the marker David Luiz. The midfielder carried the ball to the area and made a cross for Serginho, free of marking, to push it to the back of the net and increase the scoreboard.

Interim coach Mario Jorge tried to boost the Red-Black team, putting Marinho and the young Wesley, Matheus Gonçalves and Matheus França. The boys even tried, but it wasn’t enough to score a goal and reduce Maringá’s advantage.

The Fast of Gabriel

In today’s match, Gabriel asked to be replaced around 30 minutes into the second half. After another bad match, the Flamengo striker reached the mark of ten games without scoring, then being the worst sequence since the player arrived at Flamengo, in 2019.

· Back game

The next confrontation between the two teams will take place on April 26, at Maracanã. To rank directly, the carioca team needs to make three goals difference. Maringá can lose by a goal difference and pass free from suffocation. In case of a tie, the ranking will be decided on penalties.

Featured Photo: Matheus Bianchi in this Thursday’s match against Flamengo. (Fernando Terematsu/Maringá)