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Everton’s five-match unbeaten run in the Premier League unwound sharply at St. Mary’s last weekend, Southampton claiming their first top-flight win of the season.

Do not be fooled: Sean Dyche’s outfit are not in a convincing position, lacking in balance and fluency. It’s a costly combination (or lack thereof) that threatens to keep the club mired at the pit of the table, geared for another season of scraping against the pull of the drop zone.

There are some significant fault lines stripped across Goodison Park’s senior squad, and though glimmers of hope have started to appear, slanting onto Merseyside like sunlight, many supporters will feel that more misery is lined up ahead – Sod’s Law, right?

But actually, there’s just cause for hope. Everton are going to be headed by The Friedkin Group in the not-too-distant future, and there are some talented first-teamers in the mix who could raise their game even higher with some impactful transfer moves across the coming markets.

But let’s look inward for a second. The Toffees also have some stars sat on the margins who will be gunning for a resurgence, and with the turning of the wheel, a new era could mark a new hope for players such as Dele Alli.

Why Dele Alli could make a comeback

Dele is a fallen star, but he was one of the brightest on the continent before he was struck by a saddening decline.

Tottenham Hotspur’s talent crackled into life in the Premier League, arriving from MK Dons in a deal worth about £5m in 2015. A bona fide prodigy, Dele marked his first three seasons in the top division with 97 goal contributions, bestowed with the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year award in both of his opening terms.

The England international has since been on a downward spiral, losing his way with Spurs before moving to Everton and fading into the shadows, struggling with personal issues.

Hope remains that Dele, who last featured for Everton in August 2022, before a disappointing loan spell in Turkey, can revive himself to a place on the Premier League pitch, with the 28-year-old currently fighting for fitness after his interminable troubles.

Should Dele succeed, he would be offered a short-term contract and a chance to fight for a place in Dyche’s outfit. It is understood that he is approaching a level in which he could feature for the U21s.

Dele was once considered among the finest prospects in football, proving his pedigree with stunning performances at the highest level. With TFG looking to change things at the club, Dele could find that he is in good condition to rise with the tide.

He’s not the only one, however, with several further Everton stars currently languishing away from the limelight. Football fans across the globe would love to see Dele return to form, but Armando Broja could also be in line for an exciting comeback after some testing years.

Why Everton signed Armando Broja

Broja joined the Blues cause this summer, arriving from Chelsea on a one-year loan deal that can be made permanent at the end of the campaign, with a £30m purchase option.

An exciting young striker, Broja rose through the ranks with Chelsea and has enjoyed several loan moves already, but has been pulled back throughout his maiden years as a pro due to injuries.

Last season, he could only play a peripheral role at Stamford Bridge under the wing of Mauricio Pochettino before moving to Fulham from January until the summer, where he failed to make his mark, neither starting nor scoring in the Premier League in the Premier League.

Goals scored

0.17

Bottom 6%

Assists

0.17

Top 36%

Pass completion

84.3%

Top 1%

Progressive carries

2.16

Top 24%

Successful take-ons

2.49

Top 1%

Blocks

1.00

Top 16%

Lacking in output, sure, but Broja’s got some nifty underlying pointers that speak of his quality and the impact that he could have at Everton, where he has still not made his debut as he recovers from a knee injury, working toward regaining match fitness.

Described as an “animal” by The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell, the 6 foot 3 forward is technical and tenacious, with a muscular physique that demands authority in the final third.

The Albania international has what it takes to make a marked impact on Dyche’s team in 2025.

Everton’s recent purple patch has at least lifted them away from the sharpest danger, eliminating that lowermost rank in the Premier League and taking them above the dotted line and into 16th place, where they currently reside, four points above Ipswich Town in 18th.

There’s plenty to be desired up top. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fitness levels have strapped in for the ride and have held up thus far, with the England star starting each of Everton’s ten Premier League matches in 2024/25 – he has, however, struggled for fluency, with the defeat against Saints marking the sixth successive match without a goal or an assist.

Calvert-Lewin, 27, is an aerial focal point to be admired, but he’s lacking in dimensions and dynamism, ranking among the bottom 39% of Premier League strikers this season for shots taken, the bottom 8% for pass completion and the bottom 13% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

He’s also out of contract at the end of the term, and looking at his rather chunky £100k-per-week wages, it’s hard to imagine TFG renewing his deal, which will not likely be diminished financially.

Especially if Broja finds his feet and fitness. It’s his time to shine. A young buck with it all to prove, Everton’s fortunes might just be changing. It’s a brand new world, one that the likes of Broja and Dele could step into with a sanguine sense and fresh vigour, ready to lead the charge.

Everton hit gold selling £14m ace who's now worth less than 50% of the squad

Everton sold a player for a profit in 2019 who is now worth much less

ByRoss Kilvington Nov 5, 2024

LAFC players were spotted enjoying their preseason training in the sun

LAFC play Chicago Fire in preseason friendly on Feb. 5They also face Club America, Orange County SC, and RapidsLAFC kick off their 2025 MLS season against Minnesota UnitedGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED

LAFC announced their preseason schedule towards the end of January 2025, where the club revealed that they were set to play six games before their first official game of the season. That included three closed-door friendlies against Calgary FC, San Jose Earthquakes, and the Portland Timbers before they faced Phoenix Rising.

Not only that, the team is set to face Chicago Fire in the 2025 Coachella Valley Invitational, and ahead of their game, players were spotted enjoying training. The likes of Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud, Maxime Chanot, and company were seen soaking in the sun while putting in the hard yards before their season officially kicks off.

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The Los Angeles side had a positive 2024 campaign, winning the U.S. Open Cup while reaching the final of the Leagues Cup as well. However, they fell short in the MLS Cup playoffs, losing in the conference semifinals.

Preseason can hopefully help Giroud back to his best, after a disappointing first year in Los Angeles.

LAFC's MLS season kicks off on Feb. 22, but the club plays its first official match of the season a few days earlier. That comes via the CONCACAF Champions Cup as LAFC go on the road on Feb. 18 to face Colorado Rapids in Round 1, with the second leg taking place on Feb. 25.

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Getty Images SportWHAT LIES AHEAD FOR LAFC?

Having already signed Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris last season, LAFC have added to that by making significant additions to their squad. They've added Jeremy Ebobisse, Mark Delgado, Igor Jesus, Yaw Yeboah, and Nkosi Tafari. All five players will add valuable experience and reinforce a squad that hopes to challenge for the MLS Cup again while retaining the U.S. Open and producing a long run in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Bangladesh coach says loss in third T20I against New Zealand just a blip in a successful recent period

Mohammad Isam05-Sep-2021

Bangladesh collapsed rapidly in chase•AFP via Getty Images

From the point Liton Das fell in the third over, in which he had already struck Cole McConchie for two fours, Bangladesh hit just one more boundary in the rest of their innings. By drying up the runs, the New Zealand bowlers picked up wickets regularly, resulting in a 52-run win in the third T20I.Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo felt that the home side’s downfall came through that moment, when they lost early wickets and it quickly devolved into a full-blown batting collapse. Bangladesh fell from 23 for no loss in the third over, to lose half their side for 43 runs in the tenth over, before getting bowled out for 76 in the 20th over.”I don’t think there was a problem in approach in batting,” Domingo said. “We want to try to stay ahead of the run-rate. Once you are behind, it gets difficult to catch up. We want to start positively. Unfortunately we lost a few early wickets, and then we lost wickets in clusters. It is very difficult for the new batsman to come in and start knocking the ball around. It was probably the issue. We got off to a good start, 20 runs in two overs, but we lost four or five wickets in the next four or five overs. It set us back massively.”Domingo admitted that they expected the pitch to play as it did in the previous game, where Mahmudullah described it as improving in the second half of the match. New Zealand lost the second game by four runs, and while they didn’t look too comfortable during the chase, it was felt that perhaps the dew played a part with how the spinners bowled.”[128] was probably par score. We were hoping it would skid on a little bit like it did the other night. The wicket didn’t get better, probably got worse. But having been 20 from two overs, needing another 110, I am disappointed with the way the game finished,” he said.But Domingo wasn’t going to lash out on his players, at least not in public, after only their third defeat in the last 11 T20Is since mid-July. “The boys have been fantastic. They have played a lot of cricket in the last couple of weeks. You expect in international level that you won’t always have your intensity where it needs to be.”I can’t fault the guys at the way they have gone about their business in the last two or three months. The energy has been great. The intensity with which they played has been fantastic,” he said.

Inter Miami star Federico Redondo explained why Lionel Messi is the "best in history" as he backed the Argentine to play on until he's 45 years old.

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• Redondo explained why Messi is the GOAT
• Backed Messi to play until 45 years old
• Inter Miami begin pre-season training

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Redondo, who joined Inter Miami shortly after the start of the 2024 MLS season, has explained what sets Messi apart from everyone else while backing the Argentina legend to continue playing until the age of 45. The 21-year-old initially suffered a knee injury and remained sidelined for two months last term, but came back to appear in 16 league matches and played a key role in the club winning the MLS Supporters' Shield alongside Messi, who scooped the MLS MVP award for 2024.

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• WHAT FEDERICO REDONDO SAID

  Speaking to , Redondo gave his verdict on Messi's future, saying: "I’m not going to speak for him… but watching him train every day, I think he could play until he’s 45."

  When asked about the Argentina captain's hunger for success, the youngster added: "That’s the great quality that makes him the best player in history. There are thousands of talented players, although none as talented as him, in my opinion. But beyond his talent, he is a player who has won absolutely everything – and more than once. You see him in training, and he plays his heart out; he wants to win everything. Every game of the season, he wants to win it. And if he doesn’t win, he suffers. That, I believe, is key: he’s won everything because he suffers so much from losing."

• Getty
  

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  Inter Miami have begun their pre-season preparations for the upcoming 2025 MLS season and stars like Messi and Luis Suarez were in attendance on the first day of training as the squad assembled under new manager Javier Mascherano. Miami are scheduled to play five pre-season friendly matches in North, Central and South America.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LIONEL MESSI?

  Messi has shown no sign of slowing down yet. Last year, at Marca's America Award night, the 37-year-old claimed that he had not planned for his retirement yet and could very well lead his nation at yet another World Cup when the 2026 finals are staged in North America.

Celtic have enjoyed a sublime start to the Scottish Premiership season with a perfect record of four wins from four matches under Brendan Rodgers.

The Hoops have secured wins over Kilmarnock, Hibernian, St Mirren, and Rangers, along with a win over Hibs in the League Cup last month.

Kasper Schmeichel has kept four clean sheets in his four appearances in the division, having replaced Joe Hart over the summer, having arrived from Anderlecht.

One of Celtic's existing stars has also enjoyed a fantastic start to the 2024/25 campaign, as Daizen Maeda has hit the ground running on the flank.

Daizen Maeda's start to the season

The Japan international has racked up three goals and two assists in four appearances in all competitions so far this season for the Scottish giants.

Two of those three strikes came whilst playing as a centre-forward against Hibernian in the League Cup, whilst the other one was a tidy finish in the 3-0 win over Rangers in the first Old Firm clash of the campaign earlier this month.

The 26-year-old star's sublime campaign so far for Celtic comes off the back of his return of ten goals and four assists in 36 outings in the 2023/24 campaign.

Appearances

28

4

Goals

6

0

Assists

3

1

Key passes per game

0.5

0.5

Dribbles completed per game

1.1

2.0

Dribble success rate

47%

47%

As you can see in the table above, Maeda produced six goals and three assists in 28 Premiership matches last term, which shows that he did not provide quality in the final third on a regular basis.

The Hoops may want to provide him with competition for his place, to ensure that he maintains his current level and does not become complacent, and Rodgers may have his next Maeda already at the club.

Meet Celtic's next Daizen Maeda

18-year-old winger Thomas Hatton, who can play on the left or the right flank, has made great progress with Celtic over the past 12 months or so.

Despite being 17 for the vast majority of the 2023/24 campaign, the teenage starlet made eight appearances in the Lowland League for Celtic B, and contributed with one goal and one assist.

He caught Rodgers' eye and was given a chance to impress in pre-season this summer, with a second-half appearance against Queen's Park, as well as being on the bench against Ayr.

67HailHail noted that Hatton was one of the 'impressive' academy stars who came in and looked at home within the tactical set-up, thanks to his energy and technical qualities.

This suggests that there is a pathway to the first-team for the 18-year-old gem, as he has already shown Rodgers that he can step in and play with the senior squad, albeit in pre-season.

Hatton has also, like Maeda, enjoyed a strong start to the 2024/25 campaign with a return of three goals in seven Lowland League outings for Celtic B.

It is now down to the Scottish forward to continue that form and prove to the manager that he has what it takes to play competitive first-team football for Celtic as a goalscoring left winger, just like the Japan international.

Cost £1.2m: Celtic hit gold with star worth more than O'Riley in 2024 money

The Hoops hit the jackpot with the signing of this impressive centre-forward.

1 ByDan Emery Sep 7, 2024

At the age of 18, there is plenty of time left for Hatton to develop and improve to the point where he can be considered a viable alternative, or even upgrade, to Maeda on the left flank.

Alessia Russo has explained how she came through an uncharacteristic Arsenal goal drought to become one of European football’s most in-form strikers.

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Went eight games without finding the targetReached winter break with 11 efforts to her nameSix of those were recorded in DecemberFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The England international was on target in the Gunners’ 3-2 Champions League win over Bayern Munich. Said effort was her sixth through four outings in December. Russo now has 11 goals for the season – with 10 of those recorded since Renee Slegers replaced Jonas Eidevall as Arsenal coach in October.

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Prior to that, Lionesses star Russo had gone eight matches without hitting the net – including her first five WSL appearances of the season – but is now in red-hot form and cursing the fact that the winter break has been reached.

WHAT RUSSO SAID

Reacting to her serious purple patch, Russo told : "As strikers you always have moments and spells. It’s about riding the wave and when things aren’t good it’s stripping it back, focusing on training and that’s what I have done. I’m my own biggest critic and I know at times I have definitely not scored as much as I want to.

"We’re playing really nice football and we are picking up really important results. We are really enjoying ourselves and finding so many different connections on the pitch and often grinding out results in different kinds of ways. We’ve been working on lots of different things, but in the final third how we can find different connections, how we can create different types of attacks. It starts in training and we have been lucky enough to find it in matches too. It’s been great and us as players want more, we want to take accountability and that’s what we’re doing."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Russo, who will be looking to help England defend their European Championship crown in 2025, will be hoping to pick up where she left off when Arsenal return to action on January 12 in an FA Cup fourth round clash with Bristol City.

Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Santiago Gimenez looks to be all but over after journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed he rejected the Reds’ latest proposal.

It was reported that the club’s representatives travelled to the Netherlands to try and convince the Mexican to move to the Premier League, but to no avail with the club needing to target other options.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side made three separate offers for the 23-year-old, emerging as the club’s top target after Eddie Nketiah’s move also collapsed.

However, the latest bid, which totalled €33m (£28m) including add-ons, evidently wasn’t enough, with the Reds having two days to find an alternative option.

They could move for one player, with the club making progress in an attempt to sign the centre-forward.

Nottingham Forest in talks to sign £20m talent

According to The Telegraph, Nottingham Forest are in talks to sign Eintracht Frankfurt’s talisman Omar Marmoush before Friday’s transfer deadline.

The Egyptian forward, who could be available for £20m, registered 12 goals and six assists in his 29 Bundesliga matches last season – providing the added goal threat to the Reds’ attack.

The 25-year-old can also play as a winger or even an attacking midfielder, offering versatility across the frontline which Nuno has been craving this summer.

After missing out on Gimenez, it’s undoubtedly going to be a disappointment for the club, but Marmoush would offer an excellent alternative, potentially being the Reds’ own version of a top European talent.

Why Marmoush could be Forest’s own Gyokeres

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as one of the leading strikers in European football after his stellar campaign in Portugal during the 2023/24 campaign.

The Swedish international registered 39 goal contributions in his 33 Liga Portugal appearances last term, helping the club win the division under Ruben Amorim.

Gyokeres, who previously played for Coventry City, currently has a €100m (£86m) release clause in his contract in Portugal, undoubtedly ruling Forest out of any possible move amid their hunt for a new talisman.

However, their move for Marmoush could allow them to sign a similar talent to the goal machine, with FBref ranking the pair as similar players based on their respective figures from last season.

The “superb” Egyptian, as dubbed by journalist Bence Bocsak, may have registered half the amount of goals and assists but averaged more progressive passes and the same pass accuracy – demonstrating his ability to retain possession.

Games played

29

33

Goals + assists

18

39

Progressive passes

2.4

1.6

Pass accuracy

71%

71%

Shots on target

1.2

1.6

Shots taken

3

3.4

Aerials won

48%

49%

He also only managed slightly fewer shots and shots on target than the Swede, potentially able to replicate Gyokeres’ numbers with service from the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White behind him.

With the clock ticking for the Reds to get a deal done for a new centre-forward, they will have to act quickly if they are to secure any new additions to help catapult the club further away from the relegation zone.

Marmoush would be an excellent addition, with his talents in possession and in front of goal hugely improving the options currently at Nuno’s disposal.

The £20m fee would allow for a cheaper alternative to Gimenez, but as showcased with his figures, could still have just as much of an impact, with the 25-year-old having the ability to thrive in England’s top-flight.

Sights set: Nottingham Forest targeting the dream £30m Gimenez alternative

The Reds are running out of time in their hunt for a new striker.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 28, 2024

After losing one of their jewels in the crown, Crystal Palace and Oliver Glasner will have a huge task this summer to replace Michael Olise after his move to Bayern Munich.

Palace finished tenth in the Premier League last season, and the challenge will now be for Glasner to improve upon this after a good second half of the year when he was appointed to take over from Roy Hodgson.

Reinforcements have already been made, with the signings of Chadi Riad from Real Betis, and Daichi Kamada from Lazio, but the next step is replacing Olise, and bringing in a forward who can offer a similar level of output, which the Frenchman bought for the team.

Crystal Palace transfer news

According to reports from LondonWorld, Crystal Palace are in discussions to bring Marseille winger Ismaila Sarr to the club. This would be a return to the Premier League for Sarr, who previously played for Watford from 2019-2023 in the top flight, and the Championship.

Marseille are said to be willing to let Sarr leave the club for "the right price", as new manager Roberto De Zerbi looks to build his own squad in his image. Sarr is said to be keen on a return to the Premier League, as his agents and Palace look to find a solution.

That solution appears to be edging closer with personal terms agreed between club and player already according to the Athletic.

Sarr made 35 appearances in all competitions last campaign for Marseille, scoring five goals, providing six assists, and totaling 2,074 minutes.

Sarr vs Olise comparison

To compare the output of both, you need to look at Olise's numbers last season for Palace. The Frenchman made 19 appearances for Palace in 2023/24, all coming in the Premier League, scoring ten goals and providing six assists in 1,278 minutes.

In Glasner's system, Olise was often deployed as the right attacking midfielder, somewhat of a hybrid between a right-winger, and a number ten. This role, of course, has some different requirements than a touchline winger, and this could actually suit Sarr, and allow him to increase his output.

Non-Penalty xG

0.27

0.33

Progressive Passes

2.39

5.51

Progressive Carries

3.01

4.80

Touches (Att Pen)

5.54

5.65

Fouls Drawn

2.72

3.04

Now, whilst Olise excels in pretty much all metrics over Sarr, you are talking about an elite talent that has just signed for Bayern Munich. The likelihood of finding a player of that level that is ready-made is extremely unlikely.

Instead, you need to approach the transfer market differently, especially with a club like Crystal Palace who need to spread their funds and assess other areas too. Sarr offers a similar threat on the counter as Olise, being able to offer himself as an outlet receiver, winning fouls and dragging his team up the pitch.

Sarr is also extremely fast, offering that on the break, and can use that to his advantage when progressing the ball via his carrying, which is a more direct style than the coordinated style of Olise.

The 26-year-old also has good non-penalty xG numbers, which could be further exploited in that inside forward role under Glasner. Let's also keep in mind that while his output at Marseille wasn't huge, he did once contribute with 16 goals and assists for Watford in the 2022/23 season. That was form that subsequently saw Ben Foster label him as a "freak".

What Sarr doesn't offer to the level of Olise, is the creative passing and shot-creation for not only himself, but for others. However, as we said, this is where you need to find other ways to replace those metrics, and this has been done with the signing of Kamada.

Kamada brings an average of 5.44 progressive passes per 90 to the squad, and 1.25 key passes per 90, which gives Palace an extra creative boost, with the loss of Olise.

This move and having big boots to fill could bring the best out of Sarr, as Jean-Louis Gasset made the claim that "he will become a very big player" when talking about Sarr last season.

Crystal Palace could sign "electric" £25m ace who'd make Eze even better

The impressive winger could be a surprise signing for the Eagles.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Jul 21, 2024

اكتسح فريق شباب بلوزداد الجزائري، منافسه استاد أبيدجان الإيفواري، بنتيجة 6-0، في المباراة التي أقيمت بينهما اليوم السبت، ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وتواجه فريقا شباب بلوزداد واستاد أبيدجان، في إطار مواجهات الجولة السادسة والأخيرة من دور المجموعات للبطولة القارية، على ملعب 6 يوليو بالجزائر.

وسجل أهداف شباب بلوزداد أمام استاد أبيدجان، عبد الرحمن مزيان ومحمد إسلام بالخير وأيمن محيوس ورزقي حمرون مروان زروقي.

طالع أيضًا.. فيديو | الأهلي يسقط بثنائية أمام أورلاندو ويفرط في الصدارة بـ دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ويتواجد شباب بلوزداد واستاد أبيدجان، في المجموعة الثالثة لبطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بجانب الأهلي وأورلاندو الجنوب إفريقي.

ويحتل فريق شباب بلوزداد المركز الثالث في جدول ترتيب مجموعته، برصيد 9 نقاط، بينما يتواجد استاد أبيدجان بالمركز الرابع والأخير، ولديه نقطة وحيدة. أهداف مباراة شباب بلوزداد واستاد أبيدجان في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de crescer de produção durante o primeiro tempo e abrir o placar, o Flamengo cedeu o empate ao Red Bull Bragantino e tropeçou no estádio Nabi Abi Chedid, em partida válida pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão, na última quarta-feira. Em campo, o Rubro-Negro não conseguiu repetir a atuação que o torcedor se acostumou a ver, mas, se não fosse uma grande queda de desempenho na etapa final, o time poderia ter saído de Bragança Paulista com os três pontos.

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> ATUAÇÕES: Pedro recebe a maior nota do Flamengo contra o Bragantino

No começo do primeiro tempo, o Flamengo pouco fazia, enquanto o Massa Bruta conseguia chegar com mais frequência ao campo de ataque, mas sem a eficiência necessária para assustar o gol de defendido por Gabriel Batista. Nesse sentido, o Fla teve tempo dentro de campo para se ajustar e, finalmente, construir jogadas promissoras.

Assim, depois de um começo devagar, Vitinho finalmente apareceu na partida e criou duas grandes chances de gol: a primeira foi desperdiçada por Pedro, mas a segunda terminou no fundo das redes do goleiro Cleiton.

> Veja e simule a tabela do Brasileirão

Aos 28 minutos, Vitinho conseguiu um desarme já no campo de ataque, partiu com a bola dominada e tocou para Pedro dentro da área. O centroavante, por sua vez, acertou um chute firme e cruzado que colocou o Rubro-Negro em vantagem no placar. Assim, o momento era do time carioca, que poderia voltar do vestiários com mais ânimo para sacramentar a vitória em Bragança Paulista.

No entanto, não foi isso que aconteceu. O Flamengo voltou desligado e viu um Red Bull Bragantino que se lançou ao ataque em busca do gol de empate. Enquanto o Massa Bruta buscava igualar o marcador, o Fla errava passes, perdia o tempo dos botes e até a abandonava a posição para marcar.

Foi nesse cenário que o Bragantino aproveitou e balançou as redes. Primeiro, aos 11 minutos, Léo Pereira abandonou a posição para marcar Praxedes, que não teve dificuldade para passar pelo defensor e tocar para Ytalo. O atacante por sua vez, aproveitou o tempo de bote errado de Arão para finalizar com força, o que obrigou uma grande defesa de Gabriel Batista.

Dois minutos depois, novos erros custaram o gol marcador por Artur. Matheuzinho errou na saída de bola e viu o Braga construir mais um ataque. A bola chegou até o camisa 7, que não teve dificuldades para vencer a marcação de Léo Pereira, e soltou uma bomba indefensável no ângulo da meta defendida por Gabriel Batista. Depois disso, o Fla não conseguiu reagir e pouco fez para reverter esse cenário.

Os números, inclusive, evidenciam essa queda de produção na etapa complementar. De acordo com o site “FootStats”, no primeiro tempo, o Flamengo acertou 218 passes, enquanto no segundo foram apenas 138. Depois de dois chutes na direção do gol na primeiro tempo – o que já não é uma marca boa – o time acertou um único no segundo tempo.

O próprio técnico Renato Gaúcho admitiu que o Flamengo, tecnicamente, não fez um jogo bonito. Além disso, ele lembrou que os desfalques – quatro por convocação, três por lesão e um por quadro gripal – também foram fatores para o resultado. De acordo com ele, não pelo ausência dos jogadores em si, mas pela falta de entrosamento, o que aconteceu com o time que entrou em campo na última quarta-feira.

– Não estou reclamando das ausências, o que eu estou reclamando é a falta de entrosamento e, muitas vezes, a falta de um jogador da posição. É um jogo (contra o Bragantino) sempre muito difícil, mas o adversário também quer vencer. Tecnicamente, por parte do Flamengo não foi um jogo bonito, mas, em compensação, não faltou luta, não faltou vontade por parte do meu time – disse Renato na coletiva.

Com a necessidade de vencer para colar na liderança, o Flamengo volta a campo no próximo sábado, às 19h, contra o Fortaleza, no Castelão. A partida é válida pela 25ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro e terá transmissão em tempo real do LANCE!.