Flamengo came from behind to win 2-1 at home against Chapecoense on Sunday owing to a strong second-half effort. The red-blacks went behind to a Perroti goal in the 67th minute, but rallied with goals from Arrascaeta and Michael in the 78th and 82nd minutes, respectively.
Both teams started the game lacklustre and boring, with the home side constantly posing threats but failing to score, despite controlling the ball for the majority of the first 45 minutes and forcing Paulo Ribeiro to make many saves.
In the second half, the red-black team played much better, but it was the visitors who scored first in the 67th minute. Diego Alves sent a low free kick that was saved by the host goalkeeper, but Perroti was quick to knock the rebound into the net for the game’s first goal.
The hosts reacted quickly after falling behind by a goal, turning the game around in four minutes. Arrascaeta scored the tying goal from inside the 18-yard box, then Michael completed the comeback with a remarkable strike after the substitute dribbled past five opponents, including Paulo Ribeiro.
Newly appointed boss, Renato Gacho, together with Rodolfo Landim, Marcos Braz, and Bruno Spindel, watched the match at Maracana after Rogério Ceni was made to step down from his role on Saturday morning.
Chapecoense are winless in the Brasileiro so far and have had the poorest start in the history of the competition. Jair Ventura’s club have four points from 11 games, all of which have ended in draws, and tonight’s loss was their fourth in a row.
Flamengo, on the other hand, have risen four places to seventh position with 15 points and two games in hand.
Flamengo returns to action on Wednesday, when they face Defensa y Justicia in the Libertadores round of 16 first leg in Argentina. Their next league game will be on Sunday, against Bahia at Salvador.
Chapecoense also play their next game on Sunday. The team meets Cuiabá at Arena Condá for the 12th round of the Brazilian Championship.
