Without shooting on goal in Argentina, Flamengo survives in the Libertadores

Flamengo fans woke up this Friday (16) more relieved than satisfied with what they saw last night (15). The goalless draw against Estudiantes, at the Jorge Luis Hirschi Stadium, in La Plata, in the Libertadores semi-finals, was better than the performance on Argentine soil - Rádio Nacional broadcast it live.

The return match will be next Thursday (22), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã, also broadcast on Rádio Nacional. A new equality in Rio de Janeiro takes the decision of the place to penalties. A simple victory is enough for either side.

Despite having more ball possession (55% to 45%), Flamengo was unproductive offensively against an opponent whose market value, according to the specialized website Transfermarkt, is four times lower. Rubro-Negro finished five times over the more than 90 minutes of ball rolling. None of these shots, however, went towards the goal defended by Fernando Muslera.

Estudiantes had control of the attacking actions throughout the match, but was very inefficient. The Argentine team took 21 shots. Only six went to Agustín Rossi's goal.

The only clearest chance occurred in the 32nd minute of the first half. Inside the area, striker Tiago Palácios was left with a bad header from Léo Ortiz and shot across. The ball passed through Rossi, but not past defender Léo Pereira, who saved it almost over the line.

The scenario is similar to that of the round of 16, when Flamengo also decided their future at Maracanã after drawing the first game (1-1 with Cruzeiro, at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte). In the quarterfinals, the current Libertadores champion suffered away from home against Independiente de Valle, with the difference being that they returned from the Banco Guayaquil Stadium, in Quito (Ecuador) with a 2-0 victory.

The opponent, however, is more lethal away from home than at home in this Libertadores. In the round of 16, after drawing 1-1 with Universidad Católica in Argentina, Estudiantes made it 3-0 against the Chilean team when they played at Claro Arena, in Santiago. In the quarterfinals, the same thing: 1-1 with Corinthians in La Plata and a 1-0 victory at Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo.

Palm trees in front

In the other semifinal, Palmeiras came out ahead of Fluminense. Even playing at Maracanã, Verdão beat the Tricolores 2-1 last Wednesday (14), with goals from center forward Flaco López and midfielder Marlon Freitas - striker Wesley Natã scored for the hosts. The match was broadcast on Rádio Nacional.

Alviverde has the advantage of a draw in the return game, next Wednesday (21), at 9:30 pm, at Nubank Parque - Rádio Nacional broadcasts the clash in São Paulo. The Cariocas must win by two goals or more to advance to the final in normal time. If they win by one goal and equalize the aggregate score, the decision will be on penalties.

If Palmeiras and Flamengo go through, it will be the third time they have faced each other in a Libertadores final - something unprecedented. Verdão was champion in 2021 and Rubro-Negro gave it back last year. If Estudiantes advances, they can repeat the 1968 decision if the opponent is the Alviverde team. On that occasion, the Argentines took the title.