América–Atlético Mineiro rivalry

The rivalry between América Futebol Clube and Clube Atlético Mineiro, named as "Clássico das Multidões" (English: Derby of the Masses) and also called "Galo versus Coelho" (Rooster vs Rabbit), is a football rivalry from Belo Horizonte. The rivalry has a 110-year history, since first match happened in 1913, and it was considered the biggest derby of Minas Gerais for decades. Since América fell back, due to initially refusing to become a professional club, and Cruzeiro surpassed Coelho in popularity – and later, in titles – the derby lost its status as the most important one in the state. However, the rivalry between América and Atlético continued through the years, in decisive matches in the Campeonato Mineiro, in encounters for the Campeonato Brasileiro and even in the Copa Libertadores, in 2022.

Clássico das Multidões

América Mineiro Atlético Mineiro
Location	Belo Horizonte
First meeting	July 27, 1913 Atlético 1–0 América^[1]
Latest meeting	March 17, 2024 América 2–1 Atlético 2024 Campeonato Mineiro
Statistics
Meetings total	425
Most wins	Atlético Mineiro (212)
All-time series	América Mineiro: 107 Draws: 106 Atlético Mineiro: 212
Largest victory	May 15, 1952 Atlético 2–7 América Friendly

América

Atlético Mineiro

History

Atlético Mineiro was founded in 1908 in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais; América emerged four years later. According to Atlético, the first derby took place on July 27, 1913, and Galo won 1–0. According to América, the first match between the two clubs happened on November 13, 1913, and ended in a 1–1 draw.^[2] The two clubs, alongside Yale, disputed the Taça Bueno Brandão in 1914. It was the first competition organized in the state, and it was won by Atlético.^[3] In 1915, Atlético also won the first edition of the Campeonato Mineiro, the state league of Minas Gerais.^[4]

Despite Atlético's initial successes, América was the dominant force in the football of Minas Gerais in the first decades, winning the following ten editions of the Campeonato Mineiro.^[5] Atlético only won the state league again in 1926.^[6] The matches between the two clubs were known as the Clássico das Multidões ("Derby of the Masses") in the early days, as they were the most popular clubs in Belo Horizonte.^[7] Atlético Mineiro was founded by liberal, upper-class students, but from an early age it opened its doors to players from every social class, nationality or ethnicity, which earned it a "people's club" status in Belo Horizonte and in the state. América, meanwhile, had a reputation as an elitist club.^[8][9]

In the 1930s, Atlético pioneered professionalization of football in Minas Gerais, whereas América resisted against it. América suffered a setback as a result of its internal disagreements regarding professionalism.^[10]

A historical and controversial Campeonato Mineiro final between the two happened in 1948. América won 3–1 with what was known as the "gol do guarda" ("guard goal"). The match took place at Alamaeda, and Atlético had the advantage of a tie to be the champions. When América was winning 2–1, forward Murilinho kicked the ball, after which it bounced on a municipal officer and entered the goal. The goal was confirmed by English referee John Barrick, and América was the champion of the competition after 22 years.^[11]

With América's setback in the 1930s and Cruzeiro's rise to prominence since the 1940s, the derby lost its space to the Clássico Mineiro. The rivalry between Atlético and Cruzeiro eventually became the biggest derby in Minas Gerais in the 1960s, after the construction of the Mineirão.^[12]

The derby between América and Atlético took place in the Copa Libertadores in the 2022 edition's group stage. The first match at Mineirão ended in a 1–1 draw. Galo won the second game 2–1, played at Arena Independência.

Statistics

Records

• Largest wins:
  • From América: América 7–2 Atlético (May 15, 1952);^[13]
  • From Atlético Mineiro: Atlético 6–1 América (September 11, 1938).
• Top goalscorers:
  • For América: Zuca, 13 goals;^[11]
  • For Atlético Mineiro: Reinaldo, 19 goals.^[11]
• Biggest unbeaten runs:
  • América: 19 matches (May 26, 1918, to October 8, 1922)
  • Atlético Mineiro: 29 matches (January 26, 1974, to March 4, 1979)
• Most consecutive wins:
  • América: 8 wins (3 January 1960 to 13 November 1960);
  • Atlético Mineiro: 14 wins (26 November 1966 to 28 February 1971).

Statistics in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A

• 24 matches
• 3 América wins
• 9 draws
• 12 Atlético wins
• Goals scored by América: 16
• Goals scored by Atlético: 32
• Latest match: América 1–1 Atlético (4 November 2023)

References

1. "MG América". Galopedia. 4 November 2023. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
2. "América versus Atlético "O Clássico das Multidões"". Site Acervo do Coelho (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 July 2016.
3. "Primeiro troféu do clube, Atlético-MG expõe Taça Bueno Brandão" [The club's first trophy, Atlético Mineiro exposes Taça Bueno Brandão]. Lance! (in Portuguese). 16 August 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
4. Fonseca, Rodrigo (1 May 2015). "Campeão há um século com ourives e vigilante no time, Galo mira 43º mineiro com grupo milionário" [Champion one century ago with gold sculptor and watchman in the squad, Atlético aims for 43rd Mineiro with millionaire roster]. Superesportes (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 August 2015.
5. Moreira, Ana Paula (30 April 2012). "Decacampeão! No dia do centenário, América-MG relembra feito histórico". Globoesporte.com. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
6. "Mário de Castro – Futebol". UOL Esporte (in Portuguese). Retrieved 21 August 2015.
7. Cruz, Édson (29 May 2001). "Marques contra a rapa" [Marques against everyone]. Placar. No. 1181. Abril. p. 40. Retrieved 26 August 2015 – via Google Books.
8. "Os Grandes Clubes" [The Big Clubs]. Placar (in Portuguese). No. 1097. Abril. October 1994. p. 14. Retrieved 2 October 2015 – via Google Books.
9. "Guerrilha à Mineira" [Mineiro-style Guerrilla]. Placar (in Portuguese). No. 406. Abril. 3 February 1978. p. 14. Retrieved 2 October 2015 – via Google Books.
10. "1930 – 1942: América vermelho" [1930 – 1942: Red América]. Acervo do Coelho (in Portuguese). Retrieved 5 July 2016.
11. Dias, Roger (1 May 2016). "Para entrar na história". Site Superesportes (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 July 2016.
12. . FIFA. 8 February 2007. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
13. ""O Clássico das Multidões" América x Atlético". Acervo do Coelho (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 July 2016.