A run of three games without a win means Atletico-MG are gradually slipping out of the title conversations.
The latest disappointment for Jorge Sampaoli’s men was a 1-1 stalemate to Bahia.
It was a result with quite an impact at both ends of the table. For Bahia, a point at this stage is crucial to their battle to avoid relegation. It looks set to go down to the wire between Bahia, Vasco and Goais. Two of the mentioned sides will likely join Coritiba and Botafogo as the relegated sides from this year’s championship.
Statistics don’t always tell the story and this was one game that totally summed that up.
Atletico-MG might have had over 70% of possession and more shots in total but it was Bahia who had the most clear-cut chances of the game.
Sampaoli’s men have the best home record in the league this term and it was rather ironic they dropped points to the side with the worst away record as well. Atletico looked prime for a win after they got the lead just after 20 minutes through Eduardo following a cross from Arana.
Atletico continued to dominate possession but Bahia threatened more for an equalizer. The away side even hit the woodwork and seemed to have their opponents on hold at times. The goal was perhaps Atletico’s only real chance of the first half.
Bahia eventually got their much-deserved goal just two minutes into the second half. Rossi found space in the Rooster defence and got the better of Junior Alonso to grab the equalizer.
Both sides pushed hard for a winner but in the end a stalemate seemed like a fair result after 90 minutes.
Talking about the title race, this result is rather significant. If Internacional win against Vasco, Atletico would be mathematically out of the title race and that would leave the leaders and Flamengo alone in the battle for the league with two games remaining.
