Atlético-MG defeats Bahia and returns to being Brazilian champion after 50 years

Fifty years later, the Atlético-MG fan can finally celebrate the Brazilian title. This Friday (2), Galo defeated Bahia by 3-2 at Arena Fonte Nova, in Salvador, ensuring the national two-time championship in advance. The five goals of the night came in an electrifying second half, with an emphasis on striker Keno, who scored twice and declared the champion's comeback.

🐔 MINEIRO ATHLETIC CLUB IS THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPION OF 2021! WE ARE CHAMPIONS, MASS! #ROOSTER IS TWICE CHAMPION!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 🏴🏳️

🏆🏆 #BicaBiCAMpeão pic.twitter.com/cR8CGjOjN6

— Atlético 😷 (@Atletico) December 2, 2021

Alvinegro was 81 points and can no longer be reached by the vice-leader Flamengo, who has 70 points and could still reach 79. The Steel Squadron remains with 40 points, opening the relegation zone.

From the first conquest (in 1971) until now, the miners hit the post five times in their search for the double. In 1977, 1980 and 1999, Atlético went to the final of the Brazilian Nationals, but were surpassed, respectively, by São Paulo (on penalties), Flamengo and Corinthians. In 2012 and 2015, already in the era of running points, Galo was runner-up, in order, for Fluminense and again for Timão. Historical idols like Reinaldo (the club's top scorer, with 255 goals) or Ronaldinho Gaúcho (the main name of the Libertadores victory in 2013) tried, but failed to take Alvinegro out of the queue.

The wait ended up under the command of the same coach who led the team to the Libertadores title: Cuca. Atlético took the lead at Brasileirão in the 15th round, when they defeated Juventude by 2-1, away from home, and never left. Owner of the second best attack, with 60 goals, only behind Flamengo (67), Galo still has the least leaked defense in the competition, with just 27 goals conceded in 36 games played.

As expected, Atlético launched the attack against Bahia from the first minutes. At four, Keno crashed from the entrance to the area and forced Danilo Fernandes to work. At 17, the attacker dropped the bomb from afar, but the goalkeeper again saved. On minute 39, when full-back Matheus Bahia missed the ball, Nacho Fernández invaded the area from the left and kicked it across, stopping in another intervention by Danilo Fernandes. The Tricolor, more concerned with marking, ventured a little ahead. He even submitted as much as the miners (five), but without danger to goalkeeper Everson's goal.

End of the first half: Bahia 0x0 Atlético.

⚔️ #TodoJogoÉDecision #VamoGalo #BAHxCAM 🏴🏳️ pic.twitter.com/k7HMwxVeTK

— Atlético 😷 (@Atletico) December 2, 2021

The squad came back from the break with more offensive disposition and balanced the match, coming out ahead. On minute 16, defender Luiz Otávio, head, took advantage of a corner kick from the right and scored. Four minutes later, Matheus Bahia crossed low on the left and forward Gilberto completed it to the net, extending the advantage.

The goals woke Atlético, who again put pressure on and quickly got the tie. At 26, Eduardo Sasha was brought down by Luiz Otávio in the area. Fellow striker Hulk hit and converted the penalty. In the next minute, Keno dominated the entrance to the area on the left, took it inside and submitted to defeat Danilo Fernandes. It didn't stop there. At 32, midfielder Nathan found Keno in the half moon. The attacker kicked the ball in the air and sent it into the corner of the tricolor goalkeeper, decreeing the turn. Disorganized, Bahia tried to react, but not enough to spoil the alvinegra party in Salvador.

🐔 AND THE ROOSTER? THE ROOSTER IS A BRAZILIAN CHAMPION! 🎶

🏆🏆 #BicaBiCAMpeão pic.twitter.com/ZZGIeRvafN

— Atlético 😷 (@Atletico) December 2, 2021

Atlético, already the 2021 Brazilian champion, returns to the field on Sunday (5), at 4 pm, to host Red Bull Bragantino at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte, where they will be able to celebrate the title alongside the fans. On the same day and time, Bahia will attempt rehabilitation against Fluminense, again at Fonte Nova. The matches are valid for the 37th round of the Brazilian Nationals.

Text translated using artificial intelligence.