Brasileiro: Palmeiras and Inter Win “Finals”
Bruno Romani | Aug 31, 2009 | Comments 0
The big game of the 22nd as the derby between Sao Paulo and Palmeiras at Morumbi. It was the first time Muricy Ramalho took on the club that housed him for the last 3 years and half. Creator and creation were face to face. And both sides are fighting for their 4th Brazilian title in a row. So the game gained an aura of a final.
The expectations, however, were not met. Both sides seemed afraid to win. The two defenses, the best two of the league, blocked any offensive actions. During the 90 minutes, the two sides took turns in taking territorial control. Sao Paulo had a few chances from long shots, specially in the first-half. Palmeiras waited for that perfect counter attack that never happened. At the end, the 0-0 was better for Palmeiras, that kept the 4 points from Sao Paulo, and gained one point over the second team. Psychologically, Muricy defeated its creation.
Final 2
The other “final” was between Inter, 4th in the table, and Goias, the second. Like in Sao Paulo, this match was going to be the return of a character to his old house. Fernandao, the man who lifted the Libertadores and Club World Cup, was returning to the Beira Rio, but as a visitor. It was the first match he was going to startt for Goias. However, unlike in Sao Paulo, this match had only one team – thanks, in great part to Fernandao. In a very arguable decision by the referee, the number 9 was ejected with only 13 minutes. Freud explains it.
After that, Inter had no trouble and scored 4-0 – goals by Marquinhos, Guinazu, Juliano and Kleber (ex-Brazil international). Juliano is a talented midfielder. Like many other young talents who started at Inter, you will hear about him. And you heard about him first here. With the victory, Inter jumped to third with 37 points, and it still one game behind than its rivals. Goias, on the other hand, waisted another chance to jump to the first spot.
End of the line
In Rio, Flamengo won after five matches – counting the Sudamericana. The victim was Santo Andre, which does not bring good memories for Flamengo. The 3-0, goals by Denis Marques, Leonardo Moura and Ze Roberto, gave some oxygen to Fla. However, despite the large score, the team did not play well.
It was also the end of the line for the defeatless series of Avai. After 11 matches, the club from Florianopolis lost. The task was accomplished by Coritiba, who played at home. The 2-0 had goals by Marcelinho Paraiba – now one of the 3 top strikers of the league – and Pereira. The 3 points were important for Coritiba escape the relegation zone.
Relegation Zone Unchanged
The 4 sides in the bottom for are the same, despite the two sides from Recife getting good results.
Nautico had a breath taking performance against Atletico-PR. It scored 3 goals in the last 15 minutes of the first-half with goals by Carlinhos Bala, Michel and Derley. Despite not leaving the relegation zone, the victory was special for Nautico’s coach Geninho. He was the coach of Atletico-PR in the beginning of the tournament and lifted the state championship with them.
The other side from Recife did not need to be breath taking as it face a side that already lost its breath. The ex-sensation and leader Atletico-MG received Sport and gave more signs that the title was just a dream. The 1-1, goals by Arce and Renan Oliveira, was another remind for the local fans: Atletico stopped. With the one point, Sport left Fluminense alone as the last team in the table.
Fluminense visited Santos, and offered no challenge for the conducted by Luxemburgo. Flu allowed two headers, one in each half. The first one was scored by young striker Andre and the second by midfielder Paulo Henrique “Ganso”. Second division is close to Flu.
The other side in the relegation zone is also from Rio. Botafogo had a crazy 3 goal draw against Gremio. Botafogo jumped ahead with Reinaldo. Gremio tied with Jonas. Botafogo scored again with Victor Simoes. Jonas tied again, and Gremio came back with a goal by midfielder Souza. With two minutes left, however, Leandro Guerreiro tied the match for the third time. The result was horrible for both teams. Bota did not leave the relegation zone while Gremio still hasn’t reached its first victory away from home.
More Crazy Draws
In Bahia, another incredible 3 goal draw. Visitor Cruzeiro opened the score with just 2 minutes through left back Gilberto, the ex Brazil international. Remember him? But the fun came in the second half. Gilberto from the spot scored again. Match over? No. Roger put Vitoria back in the game. 10 minutes later Thiago Ribeiro scored again for Cruzeiro. Match over? No!
When the clock reached the 40th mark, Ramon gave his second assist to Roger, who scored his second. Now, he is one of the top strikers of the league. Three minutes later, Ramon closed its great game with a goal. The 3-3, however, did very little to change things for the clubs in the tournament.
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