O Fluminense de 2009 escapou do rebaixamento no Brasileirão em uma recuperação conhecida como Grande Escape e foi vice-campeão da Copa Sul-Americana, derrotado pela LDU de Quito por 5 a 4 no agregado.
Fluminense 2009
The 2009 Fluminense squad was marked by one of the most memorable comebacks in Brazilian football: the so-called "Great Escape", which prevented relegation from the Brazilian Championship. That same year, the team reached the final of the Copa Sudamericana, decided against LDU Quito.
History
Fluminense began 2009 with the expectation of competing for places in continental competitions, but had an irregular campaign in the Brazilian Championship and even occupied positions in the relegation zone, far from the safety zone. The turnaround began in the final stretch of the championship, now under the command of Renato Gaúcho, who took over the team after Cuca's departure. With a sequence of good results, the club guaranteed their permanence in Serie A and finished the Brazilian Championship in 16th place. The reaction became known as the "Great Escape" and became a reference for overcoming in Brazilian football. Striker Fred, signed in 2009, was one of the standout figures of the period. In parallel, Fluminense advanced in the Copa Sudamericana to the final, against LDU Quito. In the first leg, in Quito, LDU won 5-1. In the return leg, at the Maracanã, Fluminense won 3-0, but LDU took the title on aggregate 5-4. The 2009 season did not yield titles for the club, but served as the foundation for the reconstruction that led Fluminense to the Brazilian title in 2010.