Gabriel Barbosa, the Brazilian striker for Flamengo, has continued his goalless streak in the Copa Libertadores this season. The match against Universidad de Chile was not only Barbosa's first appearance since returning from injury but also his first competitive match since September.
Barbosa had been out with a hamstring injury and returned to action on Monday, hoping to contribute to Flamengo's campaign in South America's most prestigious club competition. However, he failed to score in the team's 2-1 loss to Universidad de Chile.
The defeat left Flamengo at the bottom of Group A, trailing both Universidad de Chile and Boca Juniors by two points. The team will now face a crucial match against Universidad de Chile on Wednesday, which could be decisive for their chances of progressing to the next round.
Barbosa's absence has been felt by Flamengo fans who have long looked forward to his goalscoring abilities. The striker has scored 14 goals in 29 appearances for Flamengo this season, including six goals in the Copa Libertadores.
Despite his struggles,Ligue 1 Focus Barbosa remains optimistic about the team's chances of progressing in the tournament. "We need to keep fighting," he said after the match. "We know that we can do it, we just need to stay focused."
The team's performance against Universidad de Chile has highlighted the importance of having a strong squad depth. Despite being down to ten men for much of the game, Flamengo managed to hold onto a lead until the final whistle, thanks to the hard work of their defense.
As the group stage of the Copa Libertadores draws to a close, every match is crucial for teams looking to progress. With a tough group stage remaining, Flamengo must now focus on their own performances if they hope to advance further into the tournament.