Flamengo lead, but Volpi saves Grêmio to secure a Brasileirão draw | OneFootball

Flamengo Maintains Sole Leadership Despite Draw with Grêmio

Flamengo took to the field this Sunday afternoon (31), with the mission to defeat Grêmio at Maracanã. The Rubro-Negro dominated the game from the start but took a while to score. The first goal came only 8 minutes into the second half, with Arrascaeta. After that, Grêmio managed to equalize towards the end, with the score ending 1-1.

With the draw, Flamengo remained at the top of the Brasileirão, reaching 47 points. The closest team is Cruzeiro, with 44. However, Palmeiras still plays this Sunday and could reach 45.

How Was the Flamengo vs Grêmio Match?

As expected, Flamengo started the match by putting pressure on the opposing team. The first scare came just 5 minutes into the game. Shortly after receiving a pass from Léo Ortiz, the Uruguayan Varela surged forward and passed the ball to the middle of the area. In the play, the Grêmio goalkeeper collided with the Fla fullback, and part of the crowd called for a penalty, but the referee treated it as a normal play.

After the initial pressure, Grêmio managed to close down and allow fewer clear chances for Flamengo. Because of this, Fla only posed a threat again at 26 minutes. At this moment, Saúl made a beautiful pass to Ayrton Lucas. Penetrating the area, the number 6 crossed to the penalty spot, aiming for Pedro. In desperation, defender Noriega headed it away and almost scored an own goal.

Consecutive Chances for Pedro

Flamengo continued to press without any scares from Grêmio. With the ball at their feet, the Rubro-Negro created the two best chances of the first half towards the end. At 40 minutes, in a new pass from Saúl, the ball reached Arrascaeta. The number 10 found Pedro in the small area. The striker managed a good deflection, but goalkeeper Tiago Volpi prevented the Flamengo goal.

The Mengo continued to press in the following minute, until Léo Pereira delivered another cross to Pedro. This time, the striker managed to deflect the ball and beat goalkeeper Tiago Volpi. However, defender Noriega appeared to save the ball on the line. This was the last great opportunity for Fla before the end of the first half.

Contested Refereeing

During the first half, the Flamengo fans showed irritation with referee Paulo Cesar Zanovelli. This was because the referee did not issue cards for harsh fouls by Grêmio. Additionally, Zanovelli gave a yellow card to Léo Ortiz in a play where the defender did not even commit a foul. This punishment, by the way, leaves the number 3 suspended for the next Fla game in the Brasileirão.

Did Filipe Luís Like What He Saw in the First Half?

Returning from the break, Flamengo came back without changes in the lineup. In their on-field posture, Flamengo showed they would continue with the same intensity. In fact, before the clock hit one minute, the Rubro-Negro had already created the first attack, but the opposing defense managed to clear it.

At 3 minutes, after Arrascaeta crossed the ball into the area, defender Léo Pereira had the chance to finish. However, the ball landed on the defender's right leg, who is left-footed. As a result, in the finish, the number 4 shot over the goal, without much danger.

Grêmio Tried Their Luck, and Misfortune Was Certain…

Grêmio, who had only been defending, decided to take a risk, but that's when Flamengo scored. The team from Rio Grande do Sul took a risk on a counterattack, but Ayrton Lucas managed to recover without problems and activated Samuel Lino. The number 16 advanced and passed to Arrascaeta. The maestro passed to Pedro, who quickly played a one-two. Receiving again, Arrasca made an impeccable finish, with a low shot into Tiago Volpi's corner, thus opening the scoring at 8 minutes.

Flamengo came close to extending their lead at 13 minutes. This was because, in a free-kick at the edge of the area, the Uruguayan De La Cruz took a precise shot, but the ball skimmed the Grêmio post.

Filipe Luís Made the First Change

Despite a good performance by Plata, the Ecuadorian was the first Flamengo player to leave. In his place, Filipe Luís decided to bring on Luiz Araújo. Thus, the team did not undergo a significant tactical change, as both players perform the same role.

Volpi's Miracle

The Grêmio goalkeeper, who had already made important contributions in the first half, began to firmly establish himself as the best player on the team from Rio Grande do Sul. At 17 minutes, Ayrton Lucas crossed, and Léo Pereira made a beautiful header. Even off balance, the goalkeeper managed to save with his fingertips and completed the save with a slap, preventing Arrascaeta from getting the rebound.

New Changes

At 31 minutes, Filipe Luís made two more changes to maintain control of the match. This time, two players left at once: Pedro and De La Cruz. In their places, Bruno Henrique and Evertton Araújo came on. It is worth noting that the two substituted players left to applause from the Flamengo fans.

Bitter Taste

Grêmio had a rare chance at 38 minutes of the second half. After a pass to Pavon, the forward crossed into the area, and the ball hit Ayrton Lucas's hand, and the referee awarded a penalty. In the kick, goalkeeper Tiago Volpi converted and tied the game.

How Is Flamengo's Standing in the Brasileirão?

With the draw, Flamengo reached 47 points in 21 games, occupying the sole leadership of the Brasileirão. The second place is Cruzeiro, with 44 points and one more game. It is worth noting that Palmeiras can overtake the Minas Gerais team. This is because the São Paulo team has 42 points and faces Corinthians on Sunday night (31). However, even if Abel Ferreira's team wins, Flamengo will remain comfortably in the first position.

Competition table provided by Superscore

Match Details

Flamengo 1×1 Grêmio Goals: Arrascaeta – FLA (8′ 2nd Half); Tiago Volpi (32′ 2nd Half) Yellow Cards: Kannemman and Dodi (GRE); Léo Ortiz (FLA)

Lineups: Flamengo – Rossi, Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; De La Cruz, Saúl and Arrascaeta; Plata (Luiz Araújo), Samuel Lino and Pedro. Coach: Filipe Luís

Grêmio – Tiago Volpi, Marcos Rocha, Noriega and Marlon; Dodi, Cuellar, Edenilson and Cristian Olivera (Aravena); Braithwaite (Cristaldo) and Carlos Vinicius.

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