After 12 consecutive years in Serie A of the Brazilian Championship, Athletico-PR will compete again in the national Serie B. The team from Paraná lost 1-0 against Atlético-MG, this Sunday, at Arena MRV, in Belo horizonte (MG), and was relegated for the seventh time in its history.With the result, coach Lucho González’s team remained with 42 points in the Serie A table and finished the competition in 17th place. the home team, who started the 38th round threatened with defeat, ended their participation in the 12th, with 47 points.
The fall ends a melancholic year in the Athetico-PR centenary. Despite winning the Campeonato Paranaense, the team was eliminated early in the Copa do brasil and Copa Sudamericana, and saw the dream of the G-6 in the Brazilian Championship turn into a nightmare, spending much of the tournament fighting at the bottom of the table. In addition, the fall left Paraná without representatives in the elite after 34 years.
Atlético-MG has little to celebrate after that. In a season where the team reached the finals of the copa do Brasil and Copa Libertadores,fans saw the black and white team lose out on both cups,against Flamengo and Botafogo,respectively,and still reach the final round with chances of relegation,after accumulating nine games without a win in the final stretch of the competition. As a consolation, he got a place in the Copa Sudamericana.
Despite being threatened with relegation in the final round of the Brazilian Championship, both teams took to the field with a cautious attitude, more concerned with not conceding goals than leaking the opponent’s number. There was tension in both benches over possible relegation to Serie B, reflected in the silence of the empty stands at the MRV Arena, in contrast to the lack of activity from both teams in the first half.
Atlético-MG controlled the moves, had possession of the ball, but did not take any risks, which put a lot of danger in Mycael’s territory. Rubens, in the 12th minute, presented the danger as a rare finish for the home team. On the Paraná side, they lacked the technical quality to attack the home team. The goals from rivals Bragantino and Fluminense, which left the red and black team in the relegation zone, did not seem to affect the enthusiasm of the athletes.
After a first half of low technical level and some emotions, both teams felt the need to look for a win to ensure they stay in the elite, and the final stage was more busy. Esquivel and Cuello forced Everson to make some good saves in the opening minutes. Atlético-MG responded with Scarpa and Hulk, whose shots were in the hands of Mycael.
With the results of the round unfavorable, Athletico-PR went all out in search of the only result that woudl avoid the impending collapse. Then Lucho González used Nikão and Emersonn to gain offensive power. In the 24th minute, Pablo brought the ball forward and Everson, with his fingers, pushed the ball towards the crossbar, avoiding the visitors’ goal.
When the visitors went forward and threatened to open the scoring, Erick brought down Rubens in the Paraná area. Mycael even saved Hulk’s penalty kick, but Rubens himself took advantage of the rebound and took a low shot to make it 1-0 to the Minas Gerais club, in the 27th minute. More physically complete, Atlético-MG took the advantage, while Athletico-PR called for an uncoordinated draw, ending the game and the year in apathetic fashion.
TECHNICAL SHEET:
ATHLETICO-MG 1 X 0 ATHLETICO-PR
ATLÉTICO-MG – Everson; Saravia (Igor Rabello), Battaglia, Junior alonso and Guilherme Arana; Fausto Vera (Lyanco), Alan Franco, Gustavo Scarpa and Rubens (Igor Gomes); Hulk (Vargas) and Deyverson (Alisson).Trainer: Lucas Gonçalves.
ATHLETICO-PR – Mycael; Léo Godoy (Nikão), Belezi, Thiago Heleno and Esquivel (Fernando); Fernandinho (João Cruz), Erick (Christian) and Felipinho (Emerson); Canobbio, pablo and Cuello. trainer: Lucho González.
GOAL – Rubens, 27 minutes into the second half.
YELLOW CARD – Everson and igor Gomes (Atlético-MG); cannobio, Fernandinho and Thiago Heleno (Athletico-PR).
Referee - Rafael Rodrigo Klein (RS).
REVENUE AND PUBLIC – Gates closed.
LOCATION – MRV Arena, in Belo Horizonte (MG).
What factors contributed to Athletico-PR’s relegation from Serie A after 12 seasons?
Interview Between the Time.news Editor and Football Expert Dr. Lucas Almeida
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Almeida! Thank you for joining us today. There’s been a lot of talk about Athletico-PR’s recent relegation to Serie B after 12 years in Serie A. What was your reaction to their performance this season?
Dr. Lucas Almeida: Thank you for having me! Athletico-PR’s relegation is indeed heartbreaking for fans and the club alike. Given their history of success in Serie A, it’s surprising to see them finish in 17th place with only 42 points. The culmination of a year filled with challenges certainly contributed to their downfall.
Editor: It’s fascinating yet troubling. They won the Campeonato Paranaense, which seemed promising. How do you think the early exits from the Copa do Brasil and Copa Sudamericana affected the team’s morale?
Dr.Almeida: Winning the Campeonato Paranaense brings a sense of pride,but I believe those early eliminations in the cup competitions set a negative tone for the season. It’s crucial for teams to find rhythm and build momentum,and losing in early stages of important tournaments can deflate morale.it seems they entered the league battle without the confidence they needed, compounded by accumulating pressure to secure points.
Editor: You mentioned pressure—coaches frequently enough feel it the most. How do you rate Lucho González’s tenure, especially leading this team in such a challenging season?
Dr. Almeida: Lucho González faced an uphill battle right from the start. While he has a solid tactical background, the fact remains that he had to manage the mental strain on the players, which can be daunting. His ability to maintain morale during tough periods is just as critical as his tactical decisions. Unfortunately, it truly seems the team struggled to execute his strategies effectively, leading to a disappointing finish.
Editor: Athletico-PR has faced relegation seven times now. How does this affect not just the team but the supporters and the overall club reputation?
Dr. Almeida: Relegation substantially impacts everything—from the club’s finances to its standing in Brazil’s football ecosystem. There’s a loss of prestige, which can affect sponsorships, player contracts, and even future talent recruitment. For supporters, it’s a heart-wrenching experience to see the team they love face such challenges. They invest emotionally and financially, so this demotion weighs heavily on the community.
Editor: Given this situation, what do you think the path forward looks like for Athletico-PR? Is there hope for them to bounce back immediately?
Dr. Almeida: Absolutely, there is always hope! With strategic planning and a focus on rebuilding, they can make a swift return to Serie A. This may involve reassessing their player roster, investing in youth development, and potentially bringing in a coach who aligns more closely with the players’ strengths and the club’s long-term vision. Consistency is key in serie B—if they can get back on track, they could very well find themselves competing for promotion next season.
Editor: Great insights, Dr. Almeida! It’s clear that while the journey ahead might potentially be tough,there are indeed pathways for recovery. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us.
Dr. Almeida: Thank you! I hope to see Athletico-PR rise from this setback. It’s part of the lovely unpredictability of football.