For the second match of the quarter-finals of the Copa do Brasil, in Baixada, Athletico 2 (4) x 1 Vasco (5).
Seeking to reverse the advantage obtained by the Rio team in São Januário, Athletico put pressure on the very limited Vasco team from the start.
With a lot of possession but still having a lot of difficulty finishing, Athletico scored in the 25th minute. After a cross from the left, Cuello, in a great match, controlled and shot past Leo Jardim. Athletico 1 x 0 Vasco.
The goal boosted the team’s spirits, and they went forward.
At 33 minutes, Zapelli scores the second. Athletico 2 x 0 Vasco.
The advantage, which was already good, got even better when Rayan, at 42, was sent off by VAR after attacking Esquivel.
But it was Athletico on the field. And there was still time for injury time.
In a huge marking error by Esquivel, Vegetti calmly overcomes to reduce the advantage, at 46. Athletico 2 x 1 Vasco.
And the second half came. And with it, came Martin Varini.
Athletico was still far superior, with total control of the action. Vasco held on as long as they could, as they had clearly prepared for the penalty kicks.
The best players in the match were Zapelli and Cuello. Canobbio, Mastriani and Christian were all getting the ball. Kaique Rocha, as always in a league of his own, had another pure amateurish play, in which he was saved by Mycael.
But Varini thought it best to replace Zapelli with João Cruz. Christian, who was the most logical change as he did little, remained on the field.
But the worst was yet to come. Varini decided to take off Cuello, the best player of the match, without any justification.
The team lost its character even more and had great difficulty in securing qualification in normal time. Which in fact did not happen. End of normal time – Athletico 2 x 1 Vasco.
But Varini had one more mistake to make.
For the penalty kick, Canobbio was chosen, known for his “soft” kick and who has great difficulty finishing. There was no other way to get the result. Canobbio, on the third penalty kick, kicked softly and missed.
Vasco converted all penalties.
End of penalties and Athletico is eliminated from the Copa do Brasil.
Varini deserved the Bum-bum-bum today…
Now it’s time to pick up the pieces to face Fortaleza, at home again, next Saturday.
Apparently the only possible competition in this Centenary year is to escape the second division.
Kudos to Athletico’s Board of Directors, who decided not to reinforce the squad in the mid-year window, celebrating surpluses without any sense.
