Flamengo saw themselves go to the top of the Brasileirão standings after a 3-1 victory against Coritiba on Saturday night. It was pretty much a one sided affair and Fla were deserved winners in a game that was valid for the 22nd round of the competition.
Two goals for Flamengo came in the first half from an expected name in Bruno Henrique and Arrascaeta. In the second half, Renê added to the pile before Mattheus pulled one back for his side that only turned out to be a consolation. The loss takes Coritiba down to 18th place in the relegation zone and only two points away from Botafogo and Goias who stays 19th and 20th position respectively.
In an interview before the game started, Rogério Ceni stated Flamengo’s intent to go all out from the onset, saying “Let’s play as the team of 2019”.
From the very first minute, the home side started on an attacking not. Three minutes into the game, they opened the scoring with Bruno Henrique placing the ball in the back of the net after an audacious pass from Arrascaeta.
Coritiba tried to reply immediately through a counter attacking play but their efforts were futile. Before the hour mark, Fla got their second of the night with Arrascaeta getting the end of that.
Flamengo did not slow down after the break, and had already wasted two clear cut chances in the first five minutes of the second period. Bruno Henrique once again was involved.
In the 74th minute, a combination between Renê and Vitinho resulted to a wonderful third goal for Flamengo before Mattheus drew one back for Coritiba in the dying minutes of the game, ending the game 3-1.
Flamengo’s next league outing is on December 5 against Botafogo in Maracanã, for the 24th round. The duel with Grêmio for the 23rd was postponed due to the club’s participation in the Libertadores. On the other hand, Coritiba will take on Corinthians this coming Wednesday.
