On goalkeeper night, Fortaleza reacts and shows strength, but remains in a dramatic position

On a night marked by unexpected errors from both goalkeepers, Fortaleza managed to draw 2-2 against Gremio in Castelao and, despite remaining in a very delicate position in the table, showed a competitive intensity that was key in maintaining the fight against relegation.

The game script seems to be written to destabilize any team in crisis. An advantage built early, a one-on-one failure sparked an immediate equalizer and another turnover in the first half.

But even under the pressure of the increasingly palpable risk of falling, Fortaleza did not break down emotionally and returned to the second half with a more aggressive and braver attitude, and got rewarded.

Leao opened the scoring after four minutes with Barreiro, taking advantage of Gremio’s defensive disarray and starting a scenario that could bring calm.

But the game insisted on complexity. Perino, who made a good read of the first shot, made a rare mistake for a top-level goalkeeper. As he released the ball for a throw-in, he didn’t notice Carlos Vinicius behind him and saw the equalizer come practically out of nowhere.

The goal changed everything. Gremio has grown, and the transformation came thanks to a good move by Marlon.

But Fortaleza found the reorganization point it needed at the end of the first half. Palermo moved, repositioned the team and saw the team respond with strength, possession and pressure, something that was a hallmark even in the most difficult moments of the tournament.

The equalizer came from a free kick by Matheus Pereira, who has changed the team’s vitality since joining. The ball covered Volpi and put Fortaleza back in emotional control of the match.

From then on, it was Leao who looked the most for the win, pushing Gremio into his own court, creating volume and forcing the opposition to close down their own court.

Matheus Pereira’s eventual sending off and Breno’s brilliant stoppage-time save, a sort of redemption, rounded off a night that, although turbulent, put the spotlight on a team that had not given up on the championship.

Fortaleza has just one point and remains in second place, still very threatening, but remaining competitive, intense and emotionally vibrant. In the current scenario, this is worth as much as the result.

Leo knows that the journey is still arduous, that he needs to turn performance into victory, and that time is short.

But, if there is anything that can change this story, it is the spirit that emerged in the second half: a team gets beaten, but comes back; Who makes mistakes but reacts; Who is in pain but does not lower his head.