By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Neither Flamengo nor Botafogo managed to take three points yesterday afternoon in the 29th round of the Campeonto Brasileiro. Flamengo lost on their travels while Botafogo drew at home in what was a must-win game for the relegation threatened club.
Atlético-PR came from behind to beat Flamengo 2-1 at the Arena da Baixada. Eduardo da Silva had given the Rubro-Negro the lead, but two goals from Cleo, including a contentious penalty at the end of the first half, gave the home side the points.
The result left Fla in mid-table on 37 points. They sit seven points clear of the relegation zone, and with just nine rounds remaining until the end of the campaign their record of never having suffered the dreaded drop in over 40 years of Brasileirão football should be kept in tact.
One club who cannot be so sure of playing top flight football next season is Botafogo. Yesterday, the Alvinegro drew 1-1 with Sport Recife.
The game saw controversial forward Jobson return to the Botafogo starting line-up, and signs were encouraging that the striker can play a big part in keeping the Glorioso in Série A. On his day he is a fine front man, and if he can banish the sideshows that have continued to wreck his football career then he can be a potent weapon in attack.
Diego Souza put Sport ahead on 21 minutes when he left Dankler for dead and slotted the ball past the outrushing Jefferson. But a free-kick from Wallyson on the hour mark put Botafogo back on level terms.
With the temperature hovering near the 40 degrees mark neither side managed to seize the initiative and snatch all three points. Botafogo settled for a point, but they will need to find some wins from somewhere if they are to retain their first division status.