Brasileiro: Palmeiras Increases the Lead
Bruno Romani | Sep 28, 2009 | Comments 0
The 26th round of Brasileirao smiled to Palmeiras again. The side headed by Muricy Ramalho increased the lead to 5 points over the second team, and sees the title getting closer. Besides the great victory, Sao Paulo and Inter did not win again.
On Saturday, Palmeiras received Atletico-PR. The man of the match was Danilo (picture), who is on load from Atletico-PR. In order to have the defender on the pitch, Palmeiras had to pay an extra R$ 100 thousand (US$ 1 = R$1.80) to Atletico, as part of the loan contract. Palmeiras did not play well, but at the end of the first-half, Danilo sent the ball to the box, as if trying to get rid of it, and found left-back Figueroa to score the first goal. Then, in the second-half, Atletico-PR scored through Chico – and the ball deflected in Danilo. Just 7 minutes later, Danilo, in a corner, went to the rival’s penalty box. And he scored the winning goal ! Destiny? Wait. With 8 minutes left, Paulo Baier had the chance, no goalie in front of him, to tie again. But Danilo was there and saved. With the victory, Palmeiras has 50 points. And with it, and all its coincidences, it is hard not to think of the title going to Palmeiras and coach Muricy Ramalho (who will lift his 4th title in a row).
Sao Paulo played the derby against Corinthians. The territorial control of Sao Paulo gave no results. And, it actually almost collapsed. In a quick moment in the first-half, Ronaldo seemed like a ghost haunting defender Andre Dias and goalie Bosco. The duo made a primary mistake that resulted in the first goal of Corinthians (scored by Ronaldo). It took some time and a lot of ball possession for Sao Paulo to tie. The goal came through Washington. But that was it. The draw leaves Sao Paulo with just 45 points.
In Porto Alegre, the heavy rain gave no chance for football. And Inter and Flamengo understandably produced (?) a nil draw. Too bad for Inter, which has 44 points.
With the the results, Sao Paulo and Inter not only saw Palmeiras increasing the lead, but also lost their positions in the table for Goias and Atletico-MG respectively.
Goias received Gremio and got an important victory. Gremio scored first through midfielder Souza. But the home team came back to and scored through Leo Lima and Felipe. And with that, Goias jumped to 45 points and stole the second place from Sao Paulo.
Atletico-MG took the 4th place from Inter after massacring Santos. With just 5 minutes, Evandro opened the score board. Later, Diego Tardelli scored twice and became one of the three top scorers of the tournament with 13 goals. Kleber Pereira scored for Santos.
Hope in the relegation zone
The last two sides in the table, those for whom relegation seems unstoppable, won. Fluminense and Sport finally pocketed three points.
The case of Fluminense is amazing. Avai jumped ahead twice in the match with goals by William and Muriqui. But Flu tied twice with Alan and Fabio Neves. And, in the second-half, Alan scored again. After 51 days, Fluminense won. It was the 4th victory in 26 matches!
Sport had an important victory because it was against Santo Andre, direct rival in the relegation struggle. Arce scored first, Santo Andre tied through Rodrigo Fabri, but, in the second-half, Vandinho gave the victory. Sport has now 23 points, just 3 points behind the first team outside the relegation zone.
But that was it. The other sides fighting lost again.
Botafogo and Nautico lost. Botafogo was massacred by Vitoria at home, 3-1. Leandro, Leandro Domingues and Glaucio (this one of the most beautiful of the weekend) scored for Vitoria. Laio scored for Bota.
Nautico visited Coritiba and was no challenge for the locals. Romulo and Marcelinho Paraiba scored.
No worries
Barueri and Cruzeiro, two sides with very few aspirations in the league, played on Saturday. And Cruzeiro won with an offside goal by ex-Brazil veteran Gilberto.
Related posts:
Filed Under: Brasileirão • Brazil • Featured
About the Author:
Loading ...