With a performance marked by little creativity and low offensive productivity, Flamengo was beaten by Peñarol (Uruguay) by a score of 1-0, on Thursday night (19) at the Maracanã stadium, in a game valid for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores da América.
After this setback at home, the Rubro-Negro from Gávea needs to beat the Uruguayans next Thursday (26) at the Campeón del Siglo stadium in Montevideo. To advance at the end of regular time, the team led by coach Tite will have to triumph by two or more goals. A triumph by a simple score will lead to penalties. In the event of a tie, Peñarol will qualify.
Even pushed by more than 64 thousand fans, Flamengo was unable to impose itself on an opponent that had a clear proposal: to pull back the lines allowing Rubro-Negro to have more possession of the ball and attack only in quick counterattacks.
And that was how the team led by Uruguayan coach Diego Aguirre managed to score the winning goal after just 12 minutes of the first half: Leo Fernández took advantage of a passing error by Pulgar to control and launch Báez, who crossed to Maxi Silveira, who, with his first touch, left Cabrera free to finish.
From then on, Flamengo even tried to equalize the score, but they were hampered by the lack of creativity of their midfielders and the lack of aim of their forwards.
