idols put Fluminense in Libertadores group stage and cap Brasileiro’s impeccable home stretch

• ‘Full afternoon’: Zubeldía congratulates Fluminense on the season at the Brasileirão and analyzes a direct place at Libertadores
• The game: Ganso and Thiago Silva score in the final stretch and Fluminense seal their place for the group stage of the next Libertadores

This was the main objective of both sides of a confrontation which was the most balanced of the day yesterday. Whoever wins would be assured of 5th place – a draw wouldn’t help anyone, as Botafogo would surpass both with victory over Fortaleza. The tension and the few risky plays set the tone for a large part of the match, especially against Bahia, who tried to advance by relying on the errors of their opponent. The home team attacked more and were rewarded with goals down the stretch.

Fluminense’s season is marked by an attempt to renew and recruit young players, but yesterday it was the veterans who took the lead. Ganso was asked a lot by the fans, and coach Luis Zubeldía responded: in his first appearance, in the 29th minute of the second half, the number 10 took advantage of Bahia’s error in the ball and outpaced Kanu to score a goal with his well-known style, with a recovery.

From then on, a game which already had a more dangerous Rio tricolor gained more space. It was at this point that Soteldo passed to the left and crossed for Thiago Silva to firmly test and put the final numbers on the scoreboard. The Venezuelan took a while to become disillusioned, but scored his fourth goal in three games.

— It’s really a pleasure to be able to direct Thiago (Silva). I think his teammates and the fans are also happy to have him by their side. Even if he is human and he may have faults, what he does on the ground is to highlight it, especially among new generations. Here we have a defender who is perfect. This is something you should take advantage of. In the “book” on how to be a defender, he is perfect in the imperfect way he can be. And it’s not in Europe, it’s here — Zubeldía said at a press conference.

Fluminense de Zubeldía finished the Brasileirão with 100% success as the home team. There have been nine games in nine victories – the team was visitors in the defeat against Vasco – including a defeat against São Paulo and triumphs in the classics against Flamengo and Botafogo. During this period, 19 goals were scored and only one conceded. The place in the group stage of the next continental tournament is worthy of the performance and was accompanied by the song “the time has come, let’s win the Libertadores”, a hit during the 2023 title campaign.

And the season that saw them finish fourth in the Club World Cup is not yet over. This Thursday, at 8 p.m., Fluminense begins the semi-final of the Brazilian Cup against Vasco, at the Maracanã – the return match will take place next Sunday. Whoever qualifies will face either Corinthians or Cruzeiro in the big decider.

— It was a complete celebration because we won and two players that the fans love scored goals — said coach Luis Zubeldía, who yesterday confirmed the best comeback campaign with Flu. — We have to rest tomorrow and start thinking about the Copa do Brasil on Tuesday. This is another goal that we have and we must achieve it step by step, game by game.

Fluminense and Bahia played a balanced first half. The home team faced more danger, not least thanks to the chances created by Lucho Acosta, who was increasingly comfortable at the helm of the creative sector. He put Serna and Everaldo in position to open the scoring, but both stopped on Ronaldo.

The visitors had a first quarter of an hour of possession in attack, but the pace decreased as time went on. More cornered, the team still managed to appear threatening on a movement caused by an error from Samuel Xavier: Willian José received a pass from Jean Lucas in front of the area, but stopped at Fábio. The goalkeeper also stopped Erick Pulga’s cross shot.