Bottinelli scores 2 goals, and Flamengo comes from behind to beat Fluminense.
Fluminense took the lead and dominated, but Bottinelli sealed the victory in the 44th minute of the second half with a magical goal; now Flamengo hosts Palmeiras on Wednesday; Fluminense's coach, Abel Braga, was sent off and lost control of the game.
This is why football is exciting. In a match where Fluminense largely dominated the second half, Flamengo achieved an epic victory, which gives them a lot of encouragement in the fight for the title. Without Ronaldinho Gaúcho, the red-and-black team relied on an unlikely hero. Darío Bottinelli came off the bench and scored two goals in the final four minutes to give them a 3-2 victory that will go down in the rich history of the rivalry, this Sunday at the Engenhão stadium, where Flamengo has never lost a derby.
Twice, Vanderlei Luxemburgo's team – missing four key players (Felipe, Airton, Willians, and Ronaldinho Gaúcho) – fell behind on the scoreboard and managed to come back even without playing well. With 47 points and in fourth place, the title is very clear for Flamengo fans. For Fluminense, who were without Fred, the 44 points still keep them in contention, but the setback was very hard.
Coach Abel Braga, sent off in stoppage time, lost his temper, refused to leave the field and blamed referee Felipe Gomes da Silva, who had no influence on the result. "I'm calm. Things are improving. I'm very happy and I'm going to celebrate with my teammates," said Bottinelli, the Flamengo hero, who joins the gallery of protagonists in the Fla-Flu derby.
In the first half, the teams didn't seem to be playing a match that could define their course in the competition. There was a lot of speculation with the ball at their feet, fruitless passing. The vertical play, the incisive attack, was missing.
The second half was all Fluminense – or almost, until Bottinelli shone. In the 14th minute, Leandro Euzébio crossed for Rafael Sóbis to score with a header. Flamengo equalized with sheer determination. Negueba shot across goal and Thiago Neves finished it off in the 23rd minute.
Fluminense continued to play better and regained the lead with another cross. Souza passed to Lanzini, a duo who came off the bench. It seemed the score was settled. But Bottinelli took charge of the game. In the 42nd minute, he took a free kick from very far out. The ball hit the post, bounced off Diego Cavalieri's back and went in. Three minutes later, the Argentinian scored a magical shot into the corner of the Fluminense goalkeeper's net, who could do nothing.
The remaining minutes were marked by complaints from the Tricolor players against the referee, stemming from their frustration at the improbable and painful comeback. Souza was even sent off in stoppage time.
Highly motivated, Flamengo hosts Palmeiras on Wednesday, while Fluminense plays at home against Coritiba on Thursday.
CREDITS:
Flamengo 3 x 2 Fluminense
Flamengo - Paulo Victor; Leonardo Moura, Alex Silva, Welinton and Junior Cesar; Maldonado (Bottinelli), Luiz Phelipe, Renato and Thiago Neves; Diego Maurício (Negueba) and Deivid (Jael). Coach - Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
Fluminense - Diego Cavalieri; Mariano, Leandro Euzébio, Márcio Rosário and Carlinhos; Edinho, Diguinho (Souza), Marquinho and Deco (Lanzini); Rafael Sóbis (Martinuccio) and Rafael Moura. Coach - Abel Braga
Goals - Rafael Sóbis, at 14 minutes, Thiago Neves, at 23 minutes, Lanzini, at 34 minutes, Bottinelli, at 42 and 45 minutes of the second half.
Referee - Felipe Gomes da Silva (RJ).
Yellow cards - Maldonado, Jael. Diguinho, Leandro Euzébio.
Red card - Souza.
Income - Not available.
Attendance - 21.052 paying spectators.
Location - Engenhão Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro.