Goalkeeper’s night, Fortaleza reacts and shows strength, but still in a dramatic situation

On a night marked by improbable mistakes from both goalkeepers, Fortaleza managed to draw 2-2 with Gremio in Castellan, showing the competitiveness that is fundamental to keeping the fight against relegation alive, despite still being in a very delicate situation in the table.

The script for this game seemed written to destabilize a team in crisis. An advantage established early on, individual mistakes led to an immediate draw, and another upset occurred in the first half.

However, despite the pressure, with the risk of a fall becoming more and more tangible, Fortaleza did not break down mentally and returned in the second half with a more aggressive and courageous attitude, and was rewarded.

Leon scored the opening goal four minutes into the match against Barreiro, starting a scenario in which he took advantage of Gremio’s defensive confusion to bring peace.

But the game insisted on getting complicated. Brenno, who read the first shot well, made an unusual mistake for a high-level goalkeeper. When he released the ball for a throw-in, he didn’t notice Carlos Vinicius behind him and saw the equalizer come almost out of nowhere.

The goal changed everything. Gremio grew and a good move from Marlon led to the turnaround.

However, Fortaleza found the recovery point they needed at half-time. Palermo moved his team around, changed positions and saw his team respond with intensity, possession and pressure, which characterized even the most difficult moments of the championship.

The equalizing goal came from a free kick from Matheus Pereira, who also changed the team’s energy since joining. The ball covered Volpi and Fortaleza regained emotional control of the match.

From then on, it was Leon who wanted victory the most, pushing Gremio into his own half to create volume and corner the opponent.

A late red card for Matheus Pereira and a great save from Brenno in stoppage time rounded out a night that highlighted a team that refused to give up on the title despite the ups and downs.

Fortaleza remain in second place with only one point and are still very much under threat, but they are still competitive, intense and emotionally alive. In the current scenario, this is as valuable as the result.

The Lion knows that the journey is still difficult, that performance must turn into victory, and that time is short.

But if there’s anything that can turn this story around, it’s the spirit shown in the second half. A team that comes back even if they lose. People who react even when they make mistakes. People who don’t bow their heads even when they are suffering.