Fluminense defeated Ceará 1-0 in a delayed 12th-round match of the Campeonato Brasileiro at the Maracanã on Wednesday (October 29). Renê scored the only goal from a free kick, allowing the Rio team to overtake Botafogo and take sixth place with 47 points. Coach Luis Zubeldía praised the team's solidity but noted the need to improve finishing.
The match, a delayed 12th-round fixture in the Brasileirão, took place at Estádio Mário Filho, the Maracanã, on October 29. The game started lively but without dangerous shots early on, with goalkeepers Fábio and Bruno Ferreira having a quiet first half. Fluminense opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Renê curled a left-footed free kick that was deflected into the net.
A prior chance for the Tricolor was disallowed for offside. Late in the first half, Lucho Acosta nearly made it 2-0, but offside was called again. The second half was more eventful, with Fluminense creating the best opportunities, including a shot that hit the post off Bruno Fernandes. Ceará mounted pressure toward the end, testing Fábio, but in stoppage time, a move involving Keno and Cano ended with a key save from Bruno Ferreira.
The win gave Fluminense 47 points and entry into the G6, surpassing Botafogo, while Ceará stayed 14th with 35 points. In the post-match press conference, coach Luis Zubeldía analyzed: “In the last three games, Fluminense showed solid collective performances at certain moments, created chances, but had difficulty converting them into goals”. He added: “We are aware that we can do more. If we had capitalized better on opportunities, we would have improved the results”.
Regarding midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso, who is in recovery transition, Zubeldía stated: “He is in the recovery process and I still don't know when he can train with the group. The medical department can give a more precise forecast. There is a possibility he could be considered for the trip to Fortaleza”. On the absence of Lucho Acosta in the next round, the coach stressed adaptability: “Fluminense has played many times without Luciano and without Ganso, and can organize with a different player profile to avoid shortages in creation”.
The teams meet again on Sunday (November 2), for the 31st round, at Estádio Castelão in Fortaleza, at 4 p.m.