Athletico-PR suffered one of their most damaging defeats of the season, losing 3-1 to Vasco at the Arena da Baixada in round 34 of the Brasileirão. The Furacão led 1-0 at half-time, but a six-minute collapse in the second half turned the match around and left the club in a difficult spot in the race for a direct Libertadores place.
A first half built on control
Odair Hellmann’s changes worked in the opening 45 minutes. Mendoza was deployed as a winger, Esquivel returned to left-back and Dantas, Aguirre and Arthur Dias formed the back three. The goal came from a move that exploited a gap in Vasco’s defence: Arthur Dias found Luiz Gustavo, who sent Mendoza through on the edge of the box, and he drove a firm finish into the net.
Vasco turn the game around
Pedro Emanuel’s second-half adjustments changed the picture. Bruno Duarte came on for Sosa and Colidio replaced Brenner, matching Athletico’s two-striker shape. That gave Lescano more room in midfield, and he was rarely pressed. Vasco’s equaliser was an own goal by Aguirre, who deflected a cross from Cuiabano into his own net. Athletico’s defence then unravelled. Mycael made a save and turned away another Cuiabano cross, but two minutes later Puma Rodríguez dragged Arthur Dias out of position, leaving space for a cross that Bruno Duarte headed in unmarked. Four minutes after that, Gabriel Pereira scored from a free kick on the left side of the attack, and the match had turned completely.
Discipline, set pieces and goalkeeping under scrutiny
Athletico’s problems went beyond the collapse. Kevin Viveros was sent off after stamping on Cuiabano when the score was already 3-1, and he will miss the match against Flamengo. He could also face additional suspension if the STJD takes up the case. The third goal came from a set piece, the 20th Athletico have conceded from dead-ball situations in the Brasileirão. The first goal was an own goal by Aguirre, who was the most prominent negative figure on the night.
Mycael also came under scrutiny. In the first half he fumbled a save, the rebound fell kindly and he caught Brenner in a challenge, a moment the referee did not punish with a penalty. He was not the main reason for Vasco’s goals, though he was poor on the third, a free kick. His biggest issue was a lack of confidence that spread to the rest of the team, even at times when Athletico were on top.
Injuries add to the worries
Mendoza left at half-time with a knee problem, and Esquivel played through pain for the full match. Both will be assessed, but they could miss a crucial run of games in the fight for a direct Libertadores spot.
A worrying run of form
This is Athletico’s worst spell in the Brasileirão. They have lost three and drawn one of their last four matches, conceding eight goals and scoring only two in that period. With four rounds left and a return to the top four as the target, the club now faces Flamengo without Viveros. The break for international fixtures gives them time to rebuild their confidence, work on defending set pieces and decide whether Mycael keeps his place in goal.
Source: ge.globo.com
