Atlético beaten by Bragantino before final, unbeaten run comes to an end | OneFootball

Atlético couldn't maintain their momentum in the final stretch of the Brazilian Championship and ended up defeated 2-0 by Red Bull Bragantino on Sunday afternoon in Bragança Paulista, in an early match of the 37th round of the competition. The result ends a positive streak of seven games without losing just before the Copa Sudamericana final.

The match started evenly, but Galo struggled to assert themselves offensively and even saw one of their best opportunities end in frustration: Bernard slipped at the edge of the box and wasted a clear chance in the first half. In the second half, Bragantino found more space and opened the scoring with Lucas Barbosa, completing a low cross. Shortly after, defender Gustavo Marques extended the lead with a header.

Atlético's situation worsened with the expulsion of Igor Gomes, making a comeback practically impossible. Outnumbered and trailing, the team from Minas Gerais produced little until the final whistle.

Now it's decision time

Standings situation and impact on the final stretch

With the setback, Galo fell to 10th place, with 44 points, practically free from any risk of relegation, and with more remote chances of securing a direct spot in the Libertadores via the Brasileirão. Bragantino, on the other hand, climbed to eighth, reaching 45 points.

The team now completely shifts focus. The squad will have only a few days to prepare to try to secure a continental title that could change the course of the season and guarantee qualification for the Libertadores without relying on the national championship. On Saturday, the 22nd, Galo faces Lanús in the final of the Copa Sudamericana. The match will be at 5 PM at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción, Paraguay.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.