São Paulo wins at Maracanã and is one draw away from a historic title

São Paulo took the lead in search of the Copa do Brasil title. This Sunday, at Maracanã, for the grand final, the team led by Dorival Júnior played a safe game and managed to beat Flamengo 1-0, thanks to Calleri’s goal in the 45th minute of the first half.

With the result, Tricolor will have the advantage of playing for a draw in the second leg, next Sunday, at 4pm (Brasília time), at Morumbi, to win the Copa do Brasil title, the only competition they have never won.

In front of more than 67 thousand fans in the stands, São Paulo displayed tactical organization throughout the 90 minutes. On the other hand, Flamengo showed some collective failures and a lack of standard. The few opportunities that the red and black team had were thanks to the individual quality of their athletes, although they showed considerable improvement in the second half, due to the need to seek the result.

São Paulo dominates the 1st Q

São Paulo dominated the first half. From the beginning of the game, the team led by Dorival Júnior tried to maintain possession of the ball and attack Flamengo in an organized way, without exposing themselves. And it was through this more cautious stance that Tricolor put the red-black goal in danger.

The first good opportunity came in the 12th minute, when Wellington Rato received a throw from Lucas Moura, beat Ayrton Lucas’s run and headed towards the goal. However, when setting up the shot, he ended up being disarmed by Fabrício Bruno.

Later it was Caio Paulista’s turn to play Rodrigo Nestor on the left. The number 11 reached the baseline and crossed low to Calleri, who completed it with a cart, but Matheus Cunha made a good save.

Flamengo only responded after 35 minutes. Bruno Henrique played a one-two with Gerson, reached the baseline and crossed low, but São Paulo’s defense managed to intercept what would have been a great chance for the home team.

But, it was in the final stretch that Tricolor really threatened. First in the 40th minute, when Nestor crossed low, and the ball passed through Calleri and Wellington Rato, who tried to complete it with a cart, but didn’t reach the ball.

Five minutes later, however, São Paulo was happier. Rodrigo Nestor received it on the left and crossed the ball for Calleri to head the ball into the back of the net, free from the marking, opening the scoring for Tricolor at a key moment in the game.

Flamengo improves in the 2nd Q, but does not draw

Needing to react, Flamengo returned to the complementary stage with a change. Everton Ribeiro replaced Victor Hugo, and the team improved. Rubro-Negro from Rio began to put pressure on São Paulo, who could no longer keep the ball and began to focus their efforts on marking.

It didn’t take long for Flamengo to almost tie the game. Everton Ribeiro dominated the cross behind the marker and lifted the ball into the area for Pedro to head, but Beraldo appeared in the middle of the way to take it over the line and keep São Paulo at an advantage.

Tricolor responded soon after with Alisson, who received a pass from Lucas Moura, cleared the marker and hit the corner, taking it from Matheus Cunha, but sent it out, driving the São Paulo fans crazy.

The two teams played a very truncated game from then on, and a new scoring opportunity only came in the 33rd minute, when Everton Cebolinha took advantage of Gabriel Neves’ hesitation in releasing the ball, invaded the area but was blocked by Arboleda. On the rebound, he hit the goal, but sent it out.

In the final minutes, Flamengo went all out against São Paulo with the intention of at least getting a draw. Tricolor, in turn, held on as best they could, as they did not have fast players on the field to come out on the counterattack, and thus managed to secure the very important triumph at Maracanã, which leaves them in a very comfortable situation for the second leg. , next Sunday, in Morumbi.

*With information from Gazeta Esportiva

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