Botafogo showed progress in the draw with Vitoria, but still failed in the final third. reading analysis

Aiming to qualify directly for the Libertadores, the black and white team only reached 6th place with 52 points, but this round helped them. Immediately above Bahia (5th place, 53 points) drew with Internacional on Saturday. Fluminense, another team that finished 0-0 (against Cruzeiro), is right behind with 51.

— It’s difficult because (Vitoria) played with his life on the line, but the second stage was even more difficult. However, we continued to run well without losing or conceding a goal. Of course we want to win because we feel we missed out on opportunities in the standings, but we are happy with the first stage where we played with continuity and consistency compared to the last game against Vasco – David analyzed this after the match.

For the first time in his time at the club, the coach was able to repeat the lineup. Botafogo once again deployed Danilo, Marlon Freitas, Sabarino, Santi Rodríguez, Joaquín Correa and Artur Cabral from midfield up front. This configuration allowed the team to improve the quality of passing and ball circulation in the middle, but they failed in last passes, decision-making, and decisive plays.

Unsurprisingly, both defenders Alexander Barboza had the best chances in the first 45 minutes. The first, right after the start of the match, the player barely missed the ball after a deflection by David Ricciardo at the first post. The second shot hit Vitoria’s right post in stoppage time.

The home team, betting on counter-attacks, were intimidated by Renzo Lopez in the first half. Mateusinho then played a beautiful deep pass to the Uruguayan striker, who tried to cover Leo Link but ended up going wide.