Bragantino beat Atlético-MG 2-0 on Sunday (16/11) in an advanced match of the 37th round of the Brazilian Championship, held at Estádio Municipal Cícero Marques in Bragança Paulista (SP). The goals were scored by Lucas Barbosa and Gustavo Marques in the second half, putting the Massa Bruta in the G-8 and in contention for the Libertadores. The result ended Galo's seven-game unbeaten streak in the league.
The match, advanced by the CBF due to the South American final and the FIFA date, was balanced in the first half, ending 0-0. Bragantino created more danger from aerial plays, but the score only changed after the break.
At the 9th minute of the second half, Lucas Barbosa opened the scoring. In a play started by Jhon Jhon, who passed to Juninho Capixaba, the cross found an error by Ruan Tressoldi, allowing Barbosa to push the ball into the net. Four minutes later, at the 13th, Gustavo Marques headed home from a Jhon Jhon free kick, outjumping Igor Gomes.
Atlético-MG coach Jorge Sampaoli highlighted the team's defensive issues, having conceded seven goals in the last three games. "We didn't beat Fortaleza despite being superior, just like today. We have a week to think about how to minimize situations that are complicating us. Because at some point in the match, we are being overcome," he said in the press conference.
Sampaoli stressed the focus on the South American final against Lanús on Saturday (22/11) in Asunción, Paraguay – Galo's first continental final in history. "We are only thinking about the next game. We have a final coming up next week. All attention is focused on the final and then we return to thinking about the Brasileirão," he stated. A win secures a Libertadores spot. He attributed the loss to fatigue and Bragantino being rested.
The result took Atlético-MG out of the Libertadores qualification zone. The Minas Gerais team returns to the Brasileirão on November 25 against Flamengo at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte.
For Bragantino, under Mancini, it's the fourth straight unbeaten game, their best run of the season. The team faces Vitória next and remains in the fight for the G-6.