The Copa Libertadores already have their first semifinalist: Flamengo, The one who won the first leg in San Pablo 2-0 last week started the rematch in Maracan with doubts but the gap worked out well, Woke up in the second half and won 1–0 to eliminate Corinthians. Now, the Cariocas await the winner of the cross between Toleres and Velez.
Pedro is the top scorer in the Cup ( Associated Press Photo/Silvia Izquierdo).
Perhaps because of the two-goal lead they had secured in the first leg, Flamengo turned out to be too light. And the Corinthians smelled that initial indifference, clenched their teeth, pressed high, and even found two spicy conditions in the first watch of an hour. With Fausto Vera as starter in midfield, the So Paulo team stood well in the rain in Rio de Janeiro and were not intimidated by a packed Maraca. Without a doubt, Willian’s presence made him leap in sight. The first half had the best conditions for them.
Without the ball, he suffers…
And on the other hand? The local people had more of a reaction to the talents of their personalities rather than to mass play. Without a doubt, the Fla are a great team that is even more powerful when they play at the historic Rio de Janeiro Stadium. With this Tuesday’s result, they added 19 undefeated games at home to Maracan: 17 wins and two draws. However, in the PT he barely had a header from Everton Ribeiro and Gabigol had a shot from outside.
Flamengo felt a little helpless, something that became apparent when David Luiz hit Yuri Alberto too hard: although he touched the ball, he almost ripped his legs off … Fla felt lost in that period Where he managed best: the ball. The Corinthians, more vertical and direct, canceled it.
candidate woke up
When it looked like things weren’t going to change, as the Corinthians came out with the same intensity to play the second half, Fagner made a mistake at the start, De Arrascaeta attacked (Uruguay is in a sublime moment due to the game and driving vision) and assisted with a three-finger pass to Pedro, which took it 1–0. Timo was liquidated, which was realized. So much so that a few minutes later D’Arrascaeta himself put in an excellent pass to Gabigol, which didn’t end inside because of Cassio’s hands…
With the expulsion of Bruno Mendez, there was no longer a symmetry. Fla could have scored a few more goals, but Gabigol was denied the position, and moreover, because the team took its foot off the accelerator. They took pity on him… and, of course, Cassio did his job too, especially in the duel with Gabigol, active in creating danger, blinded when it came to defining.
a monster
Flamengo has been a serious thing for a long time. He reached the semi-finals for the third time in the last four editions of the Copa Libertadores, from 2019 to date he has only failed against Racing in 2020, when the Avellaneda team eliminated him in the second round. It is a team that has a lot of individual talent, it has players of an excellent level, such as De Arrascaeta or Pedro, who was the only scorer in the tournament with eight appearances.
Now wait for the winner of the match between Argentina: It will be Velez or Talares. If anything, the first leg will be played in Argentina and the rematch will take place in the not-for-impregnable Maracan.
