In a thrilling encounter at the Mineirão Stadium on Sunday night, April 13, 2025, Atlético-MG and Vitória battled to a 2-2 draw in the third round of the Campeonato Brasileiro. The match showcased a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams exchanging leads and a dramatic equalizer in the dying minutes.
The game kicked off at 20:30 (Brasília time) with Atlético-MG aiming to secure their first victory of the season after a shaky start. Coach Cuca made strategic changes to the lineup, bringing in Fausto Vera and Ivan Román due to the suspensions and injuries of key players Lyanco and Alan Franco.
The first half unfolded with Atlético-MG dominating possession, holding 66.2% of the ball, and displaying a more offensive strategy, registering 32 attempts at goal, including 12 on target. However, the scoreboard remained untroubled as both teams struggled to convert chances into goals.
Despite the Galo's offensive pressure, it was Vitória that struck first early in the second half. Just three minutes after the break, Lucas Halter rose above the Atlético defense to head in a well-placed cross, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. This surprise goal ignited the home side, who quickly responded with a flurry of attacks.
At the 12-minute mark of the second half, Atlético-MG found their equalizer. Fausto Vera, showing great positioning, headed the ball into the net after a chaotic sequence in the box, leveling the score at 1-1. The Galo's momentum surged, and they nearly took the lead moments later when Hulk hit the crossbar with a powerful shot.
However, the joy was short-lived for Atlético-MG as Matheuzinho capitalized on a swift counter-attack for Vitória, scoring in the 19th minute to restore their lead at 2-1. This prompted Cuca to make tactical adjustments, substituting Fausto Vera and Guilherme Arana for Bernard and Caio, respectively, as he sought to increase attacking options.
The final minutes of the match were filled with tension as Atlético-MG pushed for another equalizer. In the 40th minute, a well-executed cross from Hulk found Ivan Román, whose header forced a partial save from the Vitória goalkeeper, Lucas Arcanjo. The rebound fell to Igor Gomes, who struck decisively to net the equalizer at 2-2, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Despite several late chances, including a close effort from Rony, Atlético-MG struggled to find a winning goal. The match concluded with both teams sharing the spoils, leaving Atlético in 16th place in the standings with just two points from three matches, while Vitória secured their first point of the season, sitting at 19th.
Post-match, Igor Gomes reflected on the game, stating, "There was a pull, but I believe it may not have been enough to bring me down. Given all the errors and lack of criteria for these sorts of situations, we end up looking for those moments in the game. I believe that if the referee didn't call it, it's valid. Regarding our goals, Fausto and I have been working hard every day. It was not just about the goals, but about the effort we put in; we are continually looking to make our presence felt in the matches. The result is disappointing, especially at home where we always aim to win. However, I highlight the team's commitment, which believed until the end."
Looking ahead, Atlético-MG will prepare for their next match against Santos on Wednesday, April 17, 2025, at 21:30, as they seek to turn their fortunes around in the league. With two training sessions scheduled at their training center on Monday and Tuesday, the Galo will aim to build on their performance against Vitória and secure their first victory of the season.
As the season progresses, the pressure mounts on Cuca and his squad to deliver results, especially with the upcoming fixtures against Botafogo and other key opponents. The Galo's fans will be hoping for a turnaround in form as they continue to rally behind their team at home.
