Tricolor claimed the victory in the first classic for Flamengo and Fluminense in the 2021 season. It was also the 431st encounter between both sides.
Flamengo dominated most of the proceedings and stats but failed to make use of their chances. Igor Julião scored the only goal of the game seven minutes from time with a great effort from outside the box. The win saw Flu record their first victory in the Carioca Championship. It saw Roger Machado start life as Fluminense boss on a winning note.
For Julião, that goal marked his first in Fluminense colors. He has featured 87 times for the club.
On his debut as Fluminense manager, Roger Machado cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines and was visibly animated on a couple of occasions. He spent the game standing and giving orders to his side and his efforts were not in vain at the end of the day.
Under the leadership of Mauricinho, Flamengo had the prestigious presence of Rogério Ceni. The club’s legend and former manager watched the game alongside Marcos Braz, Fla’s VP of football who was also in the stands.
With the result, Flamengo missed out on a chance to take top spot of the Campeonato Carioca. They remain at six points and have fallen to third position, having been overtaken by Volta Redonda and Portuguesa.
For Fluminense, they bounced back from two successive defeats to claim their first win of the competition as they moved up to eighth on the standings.
For their next outing in the Carioca Championship, Flamengo will welcome
Resende to the Maracanã on Friday while Fluminense will take on Bangu the next day.
