First Round is Over: State Champions were Face to Face
Bruno Romani | May 11, 2009 | Comments 0
The first round of Campeonato Brasileiro, or Brasileirao, started with the promise of at least 5 great matches: 6 states champions were going to meet face to face in 3 matches and another 2 matches involved 4 traditional sides.
In its return to first division, Corinthians, the paulista champion, faced Inter, the defeatless gaucho champion. Too bad Corinthians decided to put a reserve side to save some breath for the quarter finals of Copa do Brasil. The battle between Ronaldo and Nilmar had been postponed. The number 9 from the visitors, as if showing to Ronaldo what he was missing, scored with just 10 minutes the greatest goal in the Brazilian season so far. Another 37 rounds will be played, but the goal Nilmar scored after turning Corinthians defense into hell will still be on the top 5 of the competition at the end of the year. After that, Inter controlled the game and pocketed its first 3 points of a promising campaign.
The other big favorite for the title also won its first 3 points, at home, though. Cruzeiro, the defeatless mineiro champion, took on Flamengo, the carioca champion. true,Fla had the chance to have the game on their hand when on the 14th mark had a penalty and saw Cruzeiro’s right back Jancarlos be ejected – the first of the league. Juan took it, but Fabio denied him. Coach Cuca took off a defensive midfielder and put Everton Araujo. Cruzeiro defended well and counterattacked even better, which resulted in a penalty, still in the first-half. Kleber took it and convertedas if showing to Adriano he was missing out a great battle. More of the same in the second-half, and with one minute left, Ramires (it had to be him) gave final numbers: 2-0.
The last match involving state champions were Atletico-PR, paranaense champion, received Vitoria, baiano champion. And the visitors won 2-0, goals by Wallace and Leandro Domingues.
Yes, the 6 clubs did nothing in terms of marketing to promote the battle of state champions. Neither CBF. These people know nothing about events promotion. Anyway, back to football…
Current Brasileiro champs Sao Paulo visited Fluminense at the Maracana. Flu’s coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira,knew exactly how to mark Sao Paulo (and honestly,who doesn’t nowadays?). What Parreira, the fans and Sao Paulo did not expect was the strange goal by Mauricio with just 2 minutes. From there, Flu seated on the defense and waited for another horrifying match from Sao Paulo this season. And this is what happened. Final score, 1-0.
Last year’s runner up Gremio received Santos at the Olimpico. In the first-half one great chance for each side. Maxi Lopez hit the post with a header. Kleber Pereira managed to miss yet another goal in his career. In the second-half, the sides took even less risks. Still Gremio, on the half hour mark, opened the score with Rever. When the victory seemed cemented,a man who is about to be fired from Santos took a free kick. Ironically, Molina, the Colombian midfielder that Gremio is trying to hire, tied the match.
Debuts, draws and revivals
The three other clubs coming from the second division all tied their matches. Barueri in its first appearance ever must be happy about getting a draw with Sport as a visitor. Pedrao is now in the history of the club as the player to score the club’s first goal in the first division ever – a goal that had a ghostly touch. For Sport, who was not putting too much effort as it has an important match for Copa Libertadores on Tuesday, the only good news was that defender Igor scored the first goal of the tournament.
Unlike Barueri, Santo Andre and Avai are not happy with their results. The former was beating Botafogo 1-0, goal by Nunes, until the 39th mark of the second-half. This is when Eduardo tied. The latter had a 2-0 lead over Atletico-MG at home, but let the visitors tie in the second-half. Needless to say that for Botafogo and Atletico, two sides that are still hurt after losing their state tournaments, the draws sucked.
Another bitter draw will have to be digested by Goias. The green side was winning at home 3-1 against the weak side of Nautico, and still let them tie. Shame.
Finally, Palmeiras faced Coritiba at home, a match that put forward Keirrisson for the first time face to face against his former club. Palmeiras controlled the match, but in a mistake of Jefferson gave a penalty to the visitors. Marcelinho Paraiba took it and converted. In the second-half Palmeiras kept the pressure and tied through Williams. With 2 minutes left, the moment Coritiba fans were not looking forward. Keirrisson received in the box and scored. That must sucks. Palmeiras 2-1.
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