Coluna do Fla
·4 August 2025
Hulk downplays Atlético-MG lead, hails Flamengo as Brazil’s best

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Yahoo sportsColuna do Fla
·4 August 2025
Flamengo and Atlético-MG are competing in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil 2025. Although the team from Minas Gerais took the lead after a 1-0 victory in the first leg, Hulk, captain of the Belo Horizonte squad, did not hold back on his praise for the group led by coach Filipe Luís.
After Atlético-MG's 2-1 win over Red Bull Bragantino in the 18th round of the Brasileirão, Hulk said he considers Flamengo the best team in Brazil. Furthermore, the captain of the Minas Gerais team downplayed the advantage gained at Maracanã.
— This idea of 'gained momentum for the next game' (with the win) is very theoretical. If you have an important match like this, which is the Copa do Brasil, against the best team in the country, there is no greater motivation, without a doubt. The focus is at its highest, the desire to win is through the roof. Not that it isn’t in other games, but when you face the best, you want to win," he said, before adding:
— And in my humble opinion, Flamengo is the best team in Brazil. Not just on paper, but also with what they show on the field. A team that plays very well. And we are going to do a great job collectively so that, God willing, we can qualify – he concluded.
In summary, at the 20th minute of the second half, Rossi passed to Léo Pereira. However, the number 4 chose to keep the ball close to the goal, even with Atlético-MG's high pressing. The defender tried to pass to Léo Ortiz, but the ball was short and Cuello stole it to score the winning goal for the Minas Gerais team.
Yes! With the loss to Atlético-MG, Flamengo is at a disadvantage in the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. Therefore, the Most Beloved will need to win by at least two goals in the second leg, scheduled for next Wednesday (06).
Now, Flamengo turns its focus to the next challenge of the season. Thus, on Wednesday (06), the Rubro-Negro faces Atlético-MG in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The teams will face off starting at 7 p.m. (Brasília time), at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.