Jorge Jesus’ men already won 2-1 in the previous fixture and only had to maintain their advantage going into the game.
Flamengo started the game nicely and looked intent to score early on, putting pressure on the opposition defence. All of these looked to be going according to plan but a lack of cohesion in the final third killed it for the Tricolor. It was also a game of few chances in general.
Basically Flamengo prowled around the Fluminense defence but the Rubro-Negro were happy to sit back and soak in all the pressure to prevent themselves from conceding a goal. Odair Hellman’s men did not create a single chance until towards the end of the first half.
The second half was in even worse fashion in terms of how the game played out. It seemed to follow the script of the first half and looked like it was going for a stalemate until the latter stages of the game.
Though Flamengo found it tough to break through the Fluminense defence, they were able to celebrate after Vitinho’s injury-time goal.
For the Tricolor outfit, it means they have won their 36th Campeonato Carioca title since the inception of the tournament.
This latest triumph is also the fourth title of the season for Jorge Jesus and company, winning the Supercopa do Brasil, the Taça Guanabara and the Recopa Sudamericana.
Despite the triumph, there seems to be sort of concern for Jorge Jesus as some of his top players have unperformed lately. Getting the team back to proper sync before the start of the Brazilian championship will be on the agenda of the Portuguese manager if he still remains at the club that is.
