Former Chelsea defender helps secure first clean sheet and win in 13 matches
Thiago Silva wasted no time making his presence felt at Fluminense, helping the Brazilian club secure their first clean sheet and victory in 13 matches on his debut. The 39-year-old center-back, who recently left Chelsea after four successful years, played the full 90 minutes as Fluminense recorded a crucial 1-0 away win against Cuiaba.
Silva’s return to Fluminense, where he began his professional career, couldn’t have come at a better time for the struggling side. Prior to his arrival, the club had:
- Accumulated just 8 points from 16 matches in the Brasileiro campaign
- Failed to keep a single clean sheet all season
- Gone 13 matches without a win
In his first match back, Silva’s experience and leadership were evident as Fluminense:
- Kept their first clean sheet of the season
- Secured a vital 1-0 victory, with Kaua Elias scoring the winning goal in the 73rd minute
- Moved off the bottom of the Brazilian Serie A table
After the match, Silva expressed his joy at returning to his former club:
“It’s been 16 years since I experienced the beautiful feeling of wearing this shirt on the field. Without a doubt, this is a moment I will never forget, and I thank God for being by my side and for helping us achieve victory tonight.”
While this victory is a significant boost for Fluminense, challenges remain:
The club is still within six points of safety in the league table. Silva’s next test will be maintaining consistency over a hectic schedule, with a home fixture against second-placed Palmeiras coming up on Wednesday.
As Fluminense aims to climb further away from the relegation zone, Silva’s experience and leadership will undoubtedly be crucial in the coming weeks and months
