The break was only four days. Enough for Atlético Mineiro to see the initial excitement in the Brasileirão collapse. Eight goals were conceded, with two heavy defeats, exposing the limitations of a squad that suffers from absences for a variety of reasons.
The first reality check came on Monday. Undefeated in the Brasileirão, Galo hosted Palmeiras in what seemed to be a direct confrontation for the top positions in the table. But the result showed teams at different stages. The Alviverde club carried out a massacre and imposed the biggest defeat of the match on Minas Gerais soil: 4-0.
The match was marked by controversial refereeing, and Hulk’s questionable expulsion made the weight of the defeat relativized by many. But São Paulo’s dominance was already clear, and the score was favorable to the visitors even before the striker’s red. In any case, the next game, against the bottom team, was ripe for Galo to give a quick response on the field, to prove that what happened on Monday was just an accident on the road.
The person who gave the answer this Thursday, in the end, was the previous leader, Vitória. With just eight goals scored in nine matches so far, Leão scored four more against Atlético. The 4-2 victory left little room for doubt. This time without major controversies or expulsions.
Since 2011, when they lost in succession to Flamengo, 4-1, and Internacional, 4-0, Atlético have not suffered two defeats by 4 or more goals in a row. That year, Galo narrowly escaped relegation. A completely different moment from the current one, in which he is named among the candidates for the title.
The reasons for the athletic downfall
The atmosphere in Belo Horizonte was euphoric until the beginning of this week. Undefeated in the Brasileirão, Atlético saw Gabriel Milito’s work continuing in the right direction. Evolution, invincibility, success as a champion… The Argentine experienced rare peace for a debutant coach on Brazilian soil, in a football known for grinding coaches, as he recently did with Álvaro Pacheco, fired from Vasco after four matches.
The good start gave Milito support for the disastrous week. But the week comes to an end with a new sensation for the Argentine, who is going through his first moment of pressure and criticism in Brazil. But the defeats also highlighted one of the coach’s biggest challenges: a squad with limitations in a long championship and which tends to reward larger squads.
The absences largely justify the week’s defeat. Holders Guilherme Arana and Alan Franco are active in the Copa América, as is Vargas, an immediate reserve in attack, a sector that did not feature Hulk and Paulinho against Vitória, who were suspended. In the medical department, Otávio and Rubens leave Milito with few solutions to reinforce the marking in midfield.
The cast also lost important names in the market. Like Pavón and Jemerson, although he brought Gustavo Scarpa and Brahian Palacios, with different characteristics. Palacios, still young, a long-term bet. Patrick and Edenílson also left the club and, although few will miss them among the fans, the versatile duo at least brought some depth to the squad.
Atlético will receive the reinforcements of Bernard and, probably, Júnior Alonso next month. Two names that should fill out the Atletico squad. It remains to be seen in which scenario they arrive at Galo, and whether their arrival will be enough for Milito to keep his team competitive throughout the season’s marathon.
About PublisherShare this article
2024-06-21 11:51:58
#excitement #concern #Goleadas #expose #weaknesses #Atlético
