April 8 – In a perfect runout ahead of the kick-off of the Serie A season, Flamengo defeated Nova Igaçu 1-0 to claim a record 38th Rio de Janeiro state championship with a 100% record.
On the back of their first-leg 3-0 victory, Flamengo were underwhelming for much of the evening despite fielding their first eleven at a packed Maracana. In the 65th minute, substitute Bruno Henrique scored the winning goal after Flamengo had struck the woodwork twice.
The modest win wrapped a perfect campaign for Tite’s team. Flamengo won 11 out of 15 matches and drew the other four, scoring 29 goals and conceding just one – coincidentally against Nova Igaçu in the first round when the Rio giants played a reserve side.
For Nova Igaçu, the remarkable run to the final was their best result ever in the state championship, drawing praise from Flamengo manager Tite, who gave his medal to his counterpart Carlos Vitor.
“He doesn’t have all the resources I have, the structure that Flamengo provides,” said Tite. “So, the best work was his. I have said this before. Of course, I want a medal later too. But in two games there was no violence, no gamesmanship, whoever came to the two finals saw football.”
He added: “Flamengo was the most disciplined team in the championship. You can’t argue. It had the best attack, the best defence and the most balanced team.”
Tite and Flamengo will welcome the success, a statement ahead of the opening weekend of the Brazilian League. On Sunday, the Rio club will play Atletico Goianaense, who, under manager Jair Ventura, the son of Jairzinho, claimed the Goiania state title with a 5-1 aggregate victory against Vila Nova.
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