As the Campeonato Brasileiro season progresses, some fixtures carry more weight than others. This Thursday, October 2nd, the iconic Maracanã will host a clash steeped in history and, for one side, burdened by a particularly stubborn statistic. Cruzeiro, the Raposa, travels to Rio de Janeiro to face Flamengo, not just as an opponent, but as a challenger to a sixteen-year-old curse.
The Unyielding Maracanã Barrier
For more than a decade and a half, the storied Maracanã has been an impenetrable fortress for Cruzeiro when facing Flamengo in the Brasileirão. The last time the Belo Horizonte club celebrated a league victory over the Rubro-Negro in their illustrious home stadium was on August 20, 2009, with a 2-1 scoreline. Since that day, seven league encounters at the Maracanã have yielded a stark reality: five Flamengo victories and two draws. During this period, Flamengo has found the net 13 times, while Cruzeiro has managed a mere four goals, a testament to the home side`s dominance.
One might wonder if the very turf of Maracanã, perhaps imbued with the spirit of countless Flamengo triumphs, simply resists any celestial blue footprint when league points are at stake. It`s a psychological hurdle as much as a tactical one, an almost mythical `taboo` that has persisted through various generations of players and coaching staffs.
Beyond the Brasileirão: A Broader Historical Context
While the Brasileirão record at Maracanã paints a grim picture for Cruzeiro, their encounters in other competitions offer a slightly more nuanced narrative. In the 2013 Copa do Brasil, Flamengo secured a 1-0 victory. However, in the 2017 Copa Libertadores final, the first leg at Maracanã ended in a 1-1 draw, with Cruzeiro ultimately clinching the title in the return match at the Mineirão. Perhaps the most significant beacon of hope for Cruzeiro fans is their last overall victory against Flamengo at Maracanã: a decisive 2-0 win in the 2018 Copa Libertadores – a testament that the Maracanã is not entirely unconquerable for them, just specifically in the league.
It`s also worth noting that due to Maracanã renovations for the 2014 World Cup, some Flamengo home games were played elsewhere. In these instances, the pattern diversified: a Cruzeiro win in Volta Redonda (2010), a crushing 5-1 defeat for Cruzeiro at Estádio Nilton Santos (2011), followed by a draw at the same venue (2012), and further Flamengo victories in Cariacica (2016) and Estádio Luso-Brasileiro (2017). This indicates Flamengo`s general strength as a host, but the specific Maracanã league taboo remains distinct.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Taboo-Breaking Spirit of 2025
Despite the daunting history, Cruzeiro approaches this match with a newfound confidence. Under the guidance of coach Leonardo Jardim, the team has shown a remarkable ability to break long-standing negative streaks this season. Most notably, in the first leg of this very Campeonato Brasileiro, on May 4th, Cruzeiro defeated Flamengo 2-1 at the Mineirão. This victory was monumental, ending a nearly seven-year winless streak against Flamengo across all competitions and venues, a period that saw eight defeats and just one draw in nine matches since 2018.
This recent triumph has injected a potent dose of belief into the squad, suggesting that the current iteration of the Raposa possesses the mental fortitude and tactical discipline to defy historical patterns. If they can overcome a seven-year drought against a formidable opponent, surely a sixteen-year league jinx at Maracanã might just be the next item on their “taboo-breaking” agenda.
The Stakes: History vs. Momentum
For Flamengo, this match is an opportunity to reassert their dominance at their spiritual home and maintain their league position. For Cruzeiro, it`s more than just three points; it`s a chance to exorcise a long-standing demon, to prove their resurgence, and to send a powerful message to the rest of the league. A victory at Maracanã against Flamengo, especially after so long, could be a psychological turning point for their season.
As the teams prepare to step onto the hallowed turf, the weight of history will undoubtedly hang in the air. Will Flamengo continue their Maracanã reign in the Brasileirão, or will Cruzeiro, fueled by their recent taboo-shattering exploits, finally rewrite a sixteen-year-old chapter? Football, after all, is a game of moments, but sometimes, it`s also about overcoming decades of destiny.
Recent Brasileirão Encounters at Maracanã (Flamengo as host):
- December 7, 2013 – Draw 1-1
- October 12, 2014 – Flamengo 3-0
- September 10, 2015 – Flamengo 2-0
- August 12, 2018 – Flamengo 1-0
- April 27, 2019 – Flamengo 3-1
- May 27, 2023 – Draw 1-1
- June 30, 2024 – Flamengo 2-1
The upcoming match on Thursday promises to be a captivating spectacle, where history will either be reinforced or dramatically overturned.
