Fluminense’s Brasileirão Opener Struggles: Just One Win in Seven Years
As the 2026 Campeonato Brasileiro opens, Fluminense faces Grêmio at Maracanã. This match marks the return of coach Luis Zubeldía. The team aims to overcome a troubling trend in recent years.
Fluminense’s Brasileirão Opener Struggles
In the last seven seasons, Fluminense has secured only one win in opening matches. This solitary victory occurred in 2023. The team has experienced three draws and three losses during this period. Here’s a summary of Fluminense’s performances in their recent opening encounters:
Recent Opening Matches
| Year | Opponent | Score | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Fortaleza | 0 – 2 | Fluminense dominated; faced immediate crisis with coach’s dismissal. |
| 2024 | Red Bull Bragantino | 2 – 2 | Lima scored both goals; a frustrating home draw. |
| 2023 | América-MG | 3 – 0 | Germán Cano led the scoring; a rare strong opening game. |
| 2022 | Santos | 0 – 0 | Multiple chances; failed to capitalize and hit the post. |
| 2021 | São Paulo | 0 – 0 | Nenê missed a penalty; another scoreless draw. |
| 2020 | Grêmio | 0 – 1 | Diego Souza scored; disappointing performance away. |
| 2019 | Goiás | 0 – 1 | Crisis marked by disallowed goal and missed penalty. |
Fluminense’s only successful opener in recent years came in 2023, with a decisive 3-0 victory over América-MG. This performance stands out in stark contrast to earlier years marked by challenges and disappointing results.
Looking ahead, Fluminense hopes to break the cycle of poor opening performances. Their match against Grêmio presents an opportunity to start the season on a positive note.
