Athletico secured a 2:0 victory over Cricúma in the 21st round of the Serie B Regular Season on Saturday. The hosts took an early lead through Pedro Oliveira before W. Aponza extended the margin shortly after the break. Despite the result, the statistics tell a different story about who controlled the game.
Oliveira opened the scoring in the fifth minute, catching the defence off guard. Cricúma responded with pressure, but Athletico's defence held firm through a mix of clearances and interceptions. The visitors' possession advantage was evident, but they struggled to convert it into meaningful chances.
The second half brought more substitutions and a second goal for the hosts. Aponza found the net in the 55th minute, capitalising on a defensive error. Cricúma pushed for a response, creating two big chances but failing to convert. By then, the hosts had made key changes to see out the game.
The statistics reveal a match where Cricúma dominated possession at 64% but could not break through. They registered 13 shots compared to Athletico's seven, yet only two found the target for each side. The visitors' expected goals totalled 1.87, but the conversion rate was poor.
Athletico's efficiency was a key factor. With an expected goals figure of just 0.63, they took their chances when they came. The hosts made 37 clearances and won 16 aerial duels, showing resilience under pressure. Their shot accuracy of 25% was significantly better than the visitors' 13%.
The result moves Athletico further from trouble in 12th place with 27 points, while Cricúma remain in second with 47 points. For the hosts, it was a pragmatic performance that prioritised structure over attacking flair. The clean-sheet run continued, adding to their defensive solidity this season.