Yesterday, July 21, 2024, Fluminense took on Cuiabá in a match valid for the eighteenth round of the Brazilian league.
The game played in Cuiabá’s hometown of Cuiabá City, took place at the Arena Pantanal. The iconic stadium, located in Mato Grosso, is one of Brazil’s most renowned venues.
Finalized in April 2014, the Arena Pantanal hosted four group stage matches during the 2014 FIFA Men’s World Cup, including a memorable 4-1 win where Colombia defeated Japan.
Since the World Cup, the stadium has been used for various events, including shows, concerts, and numerous soccer matches.
However, this last Sunday, July 21, the Arena Pantanal saw a different kind of showdown.
The stadium that has witnessed great World Cup matches and huge arena-level concerts became the stage for a much less sophisticated type of show—the kind of show that only two teams fighting against relegation in the Brazilian league can bring.
the actors in last night’s drama at the Arena Pantanal were Cuiabá and Fluminense, two teams from very different backgrounds.
Fluminense, founded on July 21, 1902, went into the match celebrating their birthday and looking to honor their over a hundred years of history.
Cuiabá, on the other hand, is relatively young, founded in 2001.
Despite their different histories, both teams are living similar realities, currently fighting to avoid relegation.
Fluminense entered the match in dire need of a win, having gone over 10 matches without a positive result.
In their hunt for the three points, the “Tricolor Carioca” lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with veteran goalkeeper Fábio between the posts.
The defense comprised Danilo Barbosa, Samuel Xavier, Thiago Silva, and Thiago Santos.
Thiago Silva stepped onto the field with a special glow in his eyes, as it was his first game for Fluminense since his departure to Europe back in 2008. The veteran defender carried a lot of responsibility, with the pressure to fix Fluminense’s defensive issues resting on his shoulders.
The midfield consisted of André, Martinelli, Ganso, Jhon Arias, and Marquinhos, with Germán Cano as the sole striker.
The match played out very differently from how Fluminense’s games looked a few months back.
Under the leadership of new head coach Mano Menezes, Fluminense is beginning to resemble a more conventional team, moving away from the identity instilled by former coach Fernando Diniz.
Consequently, the match statistics were quite standard, with Fluminense having slightly more possession (53%) and a typical number of shots (10).
This contrasts significantly with the numbers from Diniz’s tenure, where Fluminense would have huge amounts of possession but often fail to create scoring opportunities.
The inability to create and be effective has been a critical concern for Fluminense this season. Combined with a poorly structured defense, these issues had them languishing at the bottom of the league.
However, with a new coach and a defensive powerhouse like Thiago Silva, things were looking brighter for Fluminense. And bright they were.
The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when Kauã Elias scored the only goal of the match, securing a 1-0 win for the “Tricolor.”
Defensively, the team showed a solidity they hadn’t displayed in a long time, limiting Cuiabá to just one big chance the entire game.
The impact of having a player of Thiago Silva’s caliber was clearly felt by the opposition. Yesterday’s clean sheet was Fluminense’s first in over 10 games.
Fluminense’s battle against relegation is far from over.
The team now sits in nineteenth place with 11 points from 17 games.
With their next game against Palmeiras on the 24th of this month, it’s essential that they stay focused and maintain their defensive solidity, as Palmeiras brings one of the best offensive firepower in the continent.
However difficult the next game may be, for Fluminense, what matters is yesterday’s win.
In a sport as dynamic as soccer, a single win can shift a team’s psychological state, build a more positive environment, and increase the team’s confidence as they prepare for subsequent games.
Whether Fluminense can ultimately escape relegation is hard to tell, but after yesterday’s game, it’s clear they have not given up.
There are many more games to go and many more fights to be fought, and you’ll get to read about all of that and more here on the Roadrunner.
