Campeonato Brasileiro: Surviving a Hang Over
Bruno Romani | Jul 06, 2009 | Comments 0
The 9th round of Campeonato Brasileiro was all about surviving a bad hang over. And most did it.
After being eliminated at home from the semis of Copa Libertadores, Gremio honored its nickname of “immortal”. With 11 minutes, the two forwards from Argentina had scored 3 goals – Maxi Lopes (2) and Herrera (1). In the second-half, Herrera scored again. And the 4-1 made Gremio forget that it was playing a continental competition.
The red half of Porto Alegre also had to forget it lost at home the final of Copa do Brasil just a few days ago. And what a better solution than a match against a weak rival? Inter visited Nautico, missed a penalty with D’Alessandro, but had Nilmar. The forward scored twice in the 2-0 victory. And now Inter is back to the first spot.
The other club showing no signs of bad hang over after the elimination in the Copa Libertadores and departure of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo is Palmeiras. Under interim Jorginho, the green team visited Avai and constructed a sound 3-0 victory. The man of the match was Obina, who after leaving Flamengo in bad terms due to poor football, has an impressive mark of 5 goals in 5 matches in the league. Avai now is the last in the table.
With all these clubs recovering, there’s one who is not recovered yet of the elimination in the Copa Libertadores and the departure of its coach. Sao Paulo visited Coritiba and, in another afternoon of horrendous football, lost 2-0. The beautiful goals by Marcos Aurelio and Ariel confirmed the worst beginning of tournament by the current champs since the league model was established in Brazil.
Barueri visited Santo Andre trying to survive the hang over fater the departure of striker Pedrao, who will play in the Middle East. The 1-1 wasn’t that great, given that Barueri left the top 4. However, Val Baiano, the man who replaced Pedrao, scored.
Talking about hang over, it is impossible not to mention Adriano. After missing the third practice session in a month, the forward wasn’t very useful in the 2-1 victory against Vitoria. The man of the match was midfielder Kleberson, in his first game after the Confederations Cup. he have an beautiful assist to Juan and conducted the midfield. Emerson, the less hyped forward, scored the other for Fla. Ibson, in his farewell match, had a penalty denied by goalie Viafara.
Cruzeiro, with its reserve side and a great hang over after qualifying to the final of Copa Libertadores, visited Goias. The home team won with another goal by Felipe, the top striker in the league with 7 goals. Not something Cruzeiro will waste too much thoughts on.
The one club that entered this round in good health and will end with a huge headache is Atletico-MG. In front of 50 thousand fans, the ex-leader tied in 1 goal with Botafogo, one of the weakest sides of the league. The beautiful free-kick by Juninho silenced Mineirao.
Finally, Santos beat Sport with a goal by Paulo Henrique Ganso.
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