Atlético Mineiro, Brazilian champion 50 years later

The Atletico Mineiro, led by the incombustible forward Hulk, was proclaimed this Thursday champion of the Brazilian League of 2021, after coming back from 2-0 against and winning 2-3 at Bay, at Arena Fonte Nova de Salvador.

The set of Belo Horizonte conquers, at the controls of the technician Alexi Stival ‘Cuca’, with whom he already won a Libertadores in 2013, the second Brazilian championship of its history two days in advance and breaks a 50-year drought.

Hulk, penalty, and Keno, twice, they came back in five minutes of the second half the two goals that had been scored almost consecutively shortly before by the Tricolor de Acero, which is complicated by its permanence in First division.

The Albinegro team took advantage of their first “championship ball” with a relentless reaction that left the goals of Luiz Otavio and Gilberto in minutes 61 and 65, respectively.

Hulk started the way of the comeback in ’72 and Keno he culminated it in 73 and 77. Five glorious minutes to seal the title.

The roosters did not win a League since 1971. At that time in Brazil the military dictatorship reigned (1964-1985) and Edson Arantes do Nascimento ‘Pelé’ he was still playing for Santos.

The miner He has ensured the tournament of regularity with 81 points and a balance of 25 victories, 6 draws and 5 defeats in the 36 games he has played to date.

Nobody can catch up with him in the two remaining days. Neither him Flamengo, champion in 2019 and 2020, and who is second, with 70 points and one game less; neither him palm trees, brand-new two-time champion of the liberators and third with 62 points; far from the Corinthians, fourth with 56.

After an irregular start, the Albinegro team assumed the lead on the fifteenth day and did not release it until they were proclaimed champion.

The team, which last year already pointed ways with the Argentine Jorge Sampaoli on the bench, he has managed to combine a solid defense – he is the least beaten, with just 27 goals conceded – and a deadly attack (60) only surpassed, so far, by the Flamengo (68).

In defense the wingers have been fundamental Mariano and William Arana, old acquaintances of the Sevilla Spanish, as well as the central Nathan Silva and the Paraguayan Junior Alonso.

In attack he has excelled above all Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, better known as Hulk.

On his return to Brazilian soccer after going through China (Shanghai SIPG), Russia (Zenit) and Portugal (Porto), the prodigious forward has burst the nets at 35 and is on his way to becoming the top scorer in the championship. He has been 18 and still has two games left to continue adding.

Since August, the Spanish-Brazilian accompanied him on the job. Diego Costa -today sanctioned-, which, after more than half a year without a club after terminating his contract with the Atlético de Madrid In December 2020, it integrated seamlessly and melted wonderfully with the Hulk.

The Chilean Eduardo Vargas and the Brazilian Keno have also contributed their grain of sand, as well as the Colombian Dylan Borrero and the Venezuelan Jefferson Savarino.

In the creation area, the Argentines Nacho Fernández, former player of River Plate, and Matías Zaracho.

The Atletico Mineiro, who was defeated in the semi-finals of the Libertadores against Palmeiras, ultimately champion, can still add one more title this season, because this month he will play the final of the Brazil Cup against him Athletic from Paraná.

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