Flu wins its third consecutive game and is now closing in on the leaders.
With a 2-1 victory over Cruzeiro at Parque do Sabi in Uberlândia, Tricolor moves up one position to sixth place.
Fluminense won their third consecutive match in the Brazilian Championship by defeating Cruzeiro 2-1 on Wednesday night at Parque do Sabiá in Uberlândia. With the result, the team moved up one position to sixth place, while Cruzeiro dropped one to twelfth. "We need to improve everything," lamented Montillo after the match. "We need more offensive power, we have to improve a lot against Santos," said Marquinhos Paraná.
In the first half, Cruzeiro couldn't break through Fluminense's strong defense, who were more efficient on the counter-attack. In the 34th minute, Fred was fouled in the penalty area and converted the penalty with skill, opening the scoring. As usual, the player didn't celebrate out of respect for his former team.
The Cruzeiro coach made two changes at halftime: midfielder Roger replaced Anselmo Ramon, and Élber replaced Gabriel Araújo. The team started the second half moving more. But the attacking duo of Montillo and debutant Keirrison didn't gel. Taking advantage of a lapse in the Cruzeiro defense, Fluminense scored their second goal through Marquinhos, who shot past goalkeeper Fábio after receiving a long pass in the six-yard box, almost without an angle.
Shortly after, the Cruzeiro goalkeeper asked to be substituted. He felt dizzy after colliding with Carlinhos and ended up being taken to a hospital in Uberlândia for tests. In the 24th minute of the second half, Montillo, Cruzeiro's best player on the field, reduced the deficit. He received the ball from Roger at the edge of the penalty area, made a beautiful dribble and shot into the corner, giving no chance to the Fluminense goalkeeper, Diego Cavalieri.
The goal heated up the game, which became more open. Abel Braga decided to reinforce the defense, replacing Lanzini with Digão. A few minutes later, Fred came off for Rafael Moura, Fluminense's top scorer with nine goals in the championship. With the substitutions, the Rio team managed to hold on to the 2-1 lead.
CREDITS:
Cruzeiro 1 x 2 Fluminense
Cruzeiro - Fábio (Rafael); Marquinhos Paraná, Naldo, Léo and Gabriel Araújo (Élber); Fabrício, Leandro Guerreiro, Charles and Montillo; Anselmo Ramon (Roger) and Keirrison. Coach: Emerson Ávila.
Fluminense - Diego Cavalieri; Mariano, Gum, Leandro Euzébio and Carlinhos; Diogo, Rodrigo, Marquinho and Lanzini (Digão); Ciro (Rafael Sóbis) and Fred (Rafael Moura). Coach: Abel Braga
Goals - Fred (penalty), at 34 minutes of the first half. Marquinho, at 17 minutes, and Montillo, at 24 minutes of the second half.
Referee - Guilherme Ceretta de Lima (SP)
Yellow Cards - Marquinho and Marquinhos Paraná.
Revenue and audience - Not available.
Location - Sabiá Park, in Uberlândia (MG).