By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – There were more dropped points for Flamengo last night as the Rubro-Negro could only draw 1-1 with Figueirense at the Estádio Morumbí in the Campeonato Brasileiro. After a lethargic first half Fla came into their own after the interval, but couldn’t find a way past Tiago Volpi in the Figueirense goal.
The result means that after eight rounds of the Brasileirão, and only one remaining before the five week hiatus for the FIFA World Cup, Flamengo remain in the relegation zone. They have managed just one win in the campaign so far, and none under new boss Ney Franco.
As expected for two teams scrapping at the bottom of the table, the game was low on technical quality. Flamengo went ahead after twenty minutes when Alecsandro glanced home Samir’s left-wing cross.
Joy would be short lived however. Fla’s lead lasted less than 60 seconds. Goalkeeper Paulo Victor spilled a long sh0t and Everaldo was on hand to tuck home the rebound. Flamengo barely pressed for the remainder of the half.
Yet the entrance of Negueba after the interval changed the panorama of the match. His pace offered another dimension for Flamengo and they were able to go out on the front foot.
Mengão piled the pressure on but Tiago Volpi was equal to everything. Four minutes from time, Alecsandro tried the acrobatic with a daring bicycle kick, only to see Volpi thwart him once again.
The game ended honors even. Even at this early stage, Flamengo are staring upwards with a struggle on their hands.
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