Atlético slump to 3-0 defeat at Maracanã, pressure mounts in Brasileirão | OneFootball

Atlético couldn’t hold off Fluminense and suffered a 3-0 defeat this Saturday (4th) at Maracanã, in a match valid for the 27th round of the Brazilian Championship. The result deepens the period of instability for the team from Minas Gerais, which remains close to the relegation zone of the competition.

The goals of the match were scored by Samuel Xavier, Serna, and Keno.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli tried to surprise with the lineup, bringing Guilherme Arana back to the left-back position in place of Caio Paulista, and choosing Natanael among the starters, leaving Gustavo Scarpa on the bench. With Lyanco suspended, Ivan Román took his place in defense.

The strategy, however, didn’t work. Atlético had a first half well below expectations, failing to create any clear goal-scoring chances. Fluminense, even with less ball possession, was more efficient and opened the scoring in the 15th minute, with full-back Samuel Xavier, a former Galo player, netting the first — a classic “former player’s law” goal.

After the break, Sampaoli tried to change the scenario with two substitutions: Gabriel Menino and Scarpa came on for Igor Gomes and Bernard. But the changes had little impact on Atlético’s performance, which ended up having an even worse second half. Playing better, Fluminense extended their lead in the 57th minute. Serna received the ball still in his own half, advanced unmarked, and, face to face with Everson, finished skillfully into the corner to seal the score.

What was bad got even worse! In the 92nd minute, after a quick counter-attack, Lima received the ball unmarked on the left, looked up, and crossed perfectly for Keno, who once again, invoking the “former player’s law,” headed the ball past Everson to find the net.

In the final 45 minutes, Atlético didn’t have a single shot on goal, making goalkeeper Fábio a true spectator on the field.

With the defeat, Atlético dropped to 15th place (overtaken by Internacional), with 29 points, and could lose another spot if Santos beats Ceará this Sunday. The gap to the relegation zone, for now, is just four points. Vitória, the first team inside the Z4, faces Vasco at São Januário later this round.

Galo’s next match will be at home, at Arena MRV, when they face Sport next Wednesday (8th) at 7:00 PM.

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