CRB hosted Novorizontino in the 22nd round of Serie B on Saturday evening, and neither side could find the breakthrough. The match finished 0:0 at the stadium, with both teams leaving with a point each. To be fair, it was a game where chances were thin on the ground rather than missed opportunities.
The first half saw yellow cards for Lucas Lovat and Romulo before half-time, with Bressan also booked in stoppage time. CRB controlled possession at 67 per cent but could only manage eight shots, four of which were on target. By then Novorizontino had already made a tactical shift, sitting deeper and looking to counter-attack. The visitors created one big chance but failed to convert, while CRB's expected goals stood at 0.84 without a single big chance of their own.
Several substitutions came after the break as both managers tried to change the dynamic. CRB brought on Kevin and Pedro Castro, while Novorizontino introduced Maykon Jesus and Danielzinho. The game opened up slightly, but neither side could break through. CRB completed 629 passes compared to the visitors' 303, but the quality of the final pass remained elusive. They hit six corners to Novorizontino's seven, yet the crosses were largely ineffective.
The statistics tell a story of possession without penetration. CRB made 108 attacks and 83 passes into the final third, but failed to create a single big chance. Novorizontino, with only 79 attacks, managed one big chance and had an expected goals tally of just 0.4. Shots accuracy was poor for both sides—20 per cent for CRB and 29 per cent for the visitors. The goalkeeper made three saves for CRB and four for Novorizontino, suggesting the chances that did come were either well-saved or low-quality.
Before this match, CRB sat fifth with 42 points from 26 games, while Novorizontino were fourth on 43 points from 25 matches. The draw leaves CRB one point behind their opponents, though they have played an extra game. For Novorizontino, it ended a run of three defeats in five matches, a result they might have hoped to avoid after losing to Juventude and two other sides. CRB, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten streak to five games, though this latest result was less convincing than the previous four.
What stands out is not the scoreline but the manner of it. Both teams had the numbers on their side—CRB in possession, Novorizontino in defensive solidity—but neither could impose themselves. The match will be remembered for what it lacked rather than what it offered. In a tight league, every point matters, and both sides will take something from this encounter.