FLAMENGO ENDS GROUP PHASE AS 3rd BEST PLACED IN LIBERTADORES POT 2; CHECK OUT

The Flamengo beat Atlético-Mg in the MRV Arena and isolated themselves at the top of the Brasileirão with 30 points. The duel against the Mineiros also ended up marking a new beginning for one of Rio's red-black players. That's because striker Carlinhos started the match and scored his first goal with the sacred mantle. In an interview, the player spoke about the moment, the goal and the mourning due to the recent death of his mother.

"(I would say) he is a winner. I'm a guy who never gave up. I lost my mother a few years ago. 15 days, I'm still grieving. It's been difficult, but I have to continue. As I always think, she dressed me in her armor. When she saw that I was ready, she left. me to say this. I know that she is in the arms of the Lord, and that is what comforts me. I want to tell (to Carlinhos at the beginning of the year) that I arrived here due to God's merit and my work", said Carlinhos, at half-time.

Carlinhos made his debut in the first round of the Brasileirão, against Atlético-GO, and then again had the opportunity as a starter against Palmeiras. The striker spent just 45 minutes on the field at Allianz. Carlinhos only played again against Juventude, but only spent four minutes on the field.

The chance to start against Atlético-MG came due to the physical exhaustion of Pedro, who is going through a sequence of games. Carlinhos scored the goal in the 24th minute after a play by Luiz Araújo and Wesley. The full-back shot, but the ball hit the post, and the number 22, well positioned, put it into the back of the net.

This Wednesday (3), Cuiabá fought until the end, but ended up defeated by Botafogo, 2-1, in the Arena Pantanal, in a game valid for the 14th round of the Brazilian Championship. In addition to losing their streak of five unbeaten games, Cuiabá already knows that they will have two absences for the next game, against Flamengo.

Cuiabá entered the field with four players suspended, and two of them received cards yellow and are suspended from the next round. The team's starting midfielder, Filipe Augusto was warned 11 minutes into the second half, for stepping on the opposing player after losing control of the ball.

Who also doesn't face Flamengo is striker André Luís. Reserve from the Mato Grosso team, the player left the bench in the 19th minute of the second half, replacing Clayson, and in the final stretch of the match, in the 40th minute, he received a yellow card after a foul on full-back Cuiabano.

Flamengo x Cuiabá

Flamengo and Cuiabá face each other next Saturday, July 6th, in a game valid for the 15th round of the Brazilian Championship. The match will be played at Maracanã, and the ball starts at 8pm (Brasília time). Initially, the match was scheduled for 9pm (Brasília time), but the CBF confirmed the change in time due to Brazil's game in the Copa América.

Flamengo entered the field on Wednesday night and the purpose was just one: Win and sleep at the top of the Brasileirão. In this sense, Tite's men accomplished their mission and beat Atlético-mg, in the MRV Arena by 4x2 and thus, extended the advantage in the leadership for Botafogo, who also won in the round.


Summary

Atlético had more possession of the ball in the first half of the match. However, Flamengo was more efficient, both in defense and attack. While Galo didn't find solutions to build plays, Rubro-negro didn't forgive the chances they had and scored two goals, with Bruno Henrique and Carlinhos, taking advantage of Atlético's defensive flaws. The Flemish marking also showed its service. Galo was unable to finish on Rossi's goal.

In the second stage, the pace remained the same and Flamengo increased the score even further. At 4 minutes, Ayrton Lucas makes a beautiful move, passing through the marking, invades the area and hits a cross, scoring Flamengo's third. Soon after, at 10 minutes, the referee awards Allan's penalty to Vargas. After review, Hulk hit and reduced the score. Despite the two very quick goals, the teams soon returned to where they were in the first half, where the rooster had more of the ball and Flamengo was more dangerous. 

Flamengo then scored the fourth goal. That's because Pedro thought it was a beautiful pass to Bruno Henrique, who freed it, took out the goalkeeper and scored the fourth red-and-black goal. At the end, the Galo from Minas Gerais even decreased with Hulk and thus the score remained, 4x2 and guaranteed leadership for the red-black team from Rio.

With the victory, the Flamengo is isolated at the top of the Brazilian Championship with 30 points. Botafogo is right behind with 27 (they beat Cuiabá in the round), but could be overtaken this Thursday, by Palmeiras, who have 26 and can reach 29 points, if they beat Grêmio, away from home.

Fla's next opponent is Cuiabá. The match will be held next Saturday, the 6th, at 9pm, at Maracanã.