In what was a shock result, league leaders Atlético-MG lost 2-0 at home to Athletico. The visiting team’s victory placed them out of the relegation zone to 10th place on the log in the Brazilian Championship. Christian and Nikão scored the goals of the outstanding match of the sixth round in the 35th and 45th minutes respectively. With players out due to Covid-19, the rooster did not perform quite well as he previous games and wasted a lot of chances to take the lead. The team from Minas Gerais remains at the top, but only two points ahead of Internacional.
The first few minutes of the first-half was full of wasted chances from Atlético-MG.
They could have taken the lead early on but met a well-placed Athletico team. The Rooster ended the first period with more possession, with better chances and more created but failed to take advantage. The Hurricane showed more effectiveness in front of goal that the hosts and got their reward in the 35th minute when Christian met Fernando Canesin’s cross to put his team in the lead.
Late before the break, Nikão extended his team’s advantage after receiving an audacious pass from Kayzer and placed a shot that deflected off the post into the net.
The Rooster returned with two substitutions in the second half with Nathan and Caleb in the places of Hyoran and Zaracho. But the difficulty in creating chances was still an issue. Atlético-MG prowled the area and looked to find chances via crosses and long shots. Athletico did just enough to hold on to their victory.
With the third win in a row, Hurricane gets out the relegation zone and moves further up the table. Now with 25 points, Paulo Autuori’s men return to the field to face Santos on Saturday at Arena da Baixada for the 22nd round.
