Flamengo is second in the Brasileirão - Check out the updated table

Flamengo drew 0-0 with Cruzeiro last Thursday (2), in the 26th round of the Brasileirão. With no time to rest, the red-black squad returned this Friday (3) afternoon , at Ninho do Urubu, to begin preparations for the duel against Bahia. Training begins at 3:30 pm (Brasília time), under the command of Filipe Luís.

HOW WAS THE GAME AGAINST CRUZEIRO

In a head-to-head clash at the top of the table, Flamengo and Cruzeiro played a tight match at the Maracanã. In the first half, the Minas Gerais team closed well, preventing any major scoring chances , and threatened the red-and-black team, which was saved by Rossi and Alex Sandro.

In the second half, after Filipe Luís's changes, Cruzeiro managed to create more opportunities, but failed to break down the opposing defense , with only two significant chances. Cruzeiro also barely threatened goalkeeper Rossi.

NEXT APPOINTMENT

Flamengo returns to the field on Sunday (5), at 6:30 pm, against Bahia, at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador. The match is valid for the 27th round of the Brasileirão. The broadcast of the confrontation is on Premiere (pay-per-view) for all of Brazil .

SITUATION IN THE TABLE

Even with the draw, Flamengo remains top of the league with 55 points. Palmeiras is second with 52, but has played one game less than Flamengo , while Cruzeiro is third with 51.

Flamengo and Cruzeiro drew 0-0 this Thursday (2), at Maracanã, in the 26th round of the Brasileirão. Rubro-Negro had more possession and created opportunities, but failed to finish the plays. After the match, Jorginho highlighted the need for the team to better define the plays to avoid dangerous counterattacks from the opponent.

Jorginho on Flamengo vs. Cruzeiro: "We lacked a goal. We created chances, but didn't finish them off"

"I don't think it's a physical issue, because the team maintained intensity throughout the match. It's more about decision-making. When we break through the first line of pressure and space opens up, we need to define the play —with a shot or a cross. What we can't do is lose the ball at this point and allow another transition, because the team is exposed. That's where we can improve," analyzed the midfielder.

WHAT WAS MISSING IN FLAMENGO?

With 62% possession, 15 shots to their rivals' 11, and even an extra player in the final minutes after William's red card , Flamengo couldn't convert their dominance into goals. For Jorginho, this was the decisive detail:

"We were missing a goal. We created chances, but we didn't finish them. It was a good game tactically, but we could have made better decisions on some counterattacks . We deserved to win, in my opinion, but now it's time to look forward," said the number 21.

NEXT GAME

Flamengo returns to the field on Sunday (5), for the 27th round of the Brasileirão. The opponent will be Bahia, at 6:30 pm (Brasília time), at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador . Even with the draw at Maracanã, Flamengo remains leader of the Brasileirão with 55 points, three more than Palmeiras, second place in the championship.

Flamengo hosted Cruzeiro this Thursday (2), at Maracanã, for the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship, and the duel ended in a 0-0 draw. Despite the chances created, especially in the second half, goalkeepers Rossi and Cássio were protagonists and ensured the score was zero.

Flamengo started with more possession and offensive pressure, but couldn't convert their dominance into goals. Cruzeiro, on the other hand, leveled the scoreline and created the best chances of the first half , with Kaio Jorge and Christian both being saved by Rossi . The red-and-blacks' best chance came from Arrascaeta's header that went just wide of the post.

SECOND HALF HAS EXPULSION

The game picked up in intensity in the second half, with both teams pushing forward more. Flamengo nearly opened the scoring with shots from Samuel Lino, Plata, and Carrascal , but Cássio made crucial saves to keep Cruzeiro in the match.

In the 37th minute, right-back William received his second yellow card for a foul on Bruno Henrique and was sent off , leaving the Minas Gerais team with ten men. Even so, the Rubro-Negro team was unable to capitalize on their numerical superiority.

TENSION AND MANY CARDS

The referee handed out several cards throughout the 90 minutes. Fabrício Bruno and Kaio Jorge were cautioned, while Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro, and Carrascal also received yellow cards for Flamengo. The match was marked by complaints, strong tackles, and penalty calls ignored by VAR.

BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSIFICATION

With the draw, Flamengo reaches 55 points and remains atop the Brazilian Championship, keeping a tight lead over Palmeiras, who sits in second place. Cruzeiro, meanwhile, reaches 51 points and remains firmly in the race for the top spots.