Loading ...Aug 01 2008
Brasileirao Update: Palmeiras Takes Down Flamengo
For the last three weeks I have been working from this implicit thesis regarding the Compeonato Brasileirao Serie A (Brazil’s top division): Palmeiras is the most dangerous team in the league. The fact that they went into the mid-week Round 16 in sixth place speaks to the bias in that thesis, and it has gotten to the point that, in search of some intellectual honesty, I am starting to be more critical of Verdão - looking for something negative to say about the squad. However, try as I might, Palmeiras gave me nothing but positive to say after taking down second place Flamengo 1-0 on Wednesday.
It was the kind of deliberate Brazilian league match that demanded close attention to see the distinctions between the squads. The teams moved the ball up and down the pitch, but on each end Palmeiras showed the class that has kept them a contender. Compared to their second place opponents, they were more efficient in defense, demanding a precise build-up from Flamengo to yield any kind of chance. Even when Flamengo were able to put together something positive, Palmeiras failed to give-up high percentage chances.
In attack, Palmeiras did a better job of maintaining quality possession in Flamengo’s third. Kléber de Souza (pictured, above right), their star forward on loan from Dynamo Kyiv, would establish himself with the ball at the top of the penalty area. Most of the night, he seemed inches away from completing that one pass to yield a choice Palmeiras opportunity, with leading scorer Alex Mineiro constantly threatening for his eleventh goal of the season. Mineiro would be held off the score sheet, and most of the night Flamengo did just enough at the back to keep Palmeiras on rhythm. The one time Kléber was able to lead Palmeiras through the line, midfielder Sandro Silva beat Flamengo’s Bruno high to the short side for the match’s only goal.
The loss extended Flamengo’s winless streak to five matches. They have only two points over that stretch and have given their league lead to Grêmio, who were able to open a two point lead at the top thanks to Flamengo’s loss and their 1-0 win Thursday over Coritiba. The surging Cruzeiro club won their second in a row, 4-2 over Náutico, to take sole possession of second. Flamengo now sits two points behind them and four behind Grêmio, having been shut out four times during their slide. Despite allowing only one goal per contest in that time, maintaining their standard as one of the league’s best defensive teams, they have fallen into a tie for fourth.
If they are to stop their slide, Flamengo will have to do it against Cruziero, who they will host on Sunday for Round 17. That match will kick-off at the same time Grêmio hosts Vitória at the Olimpico Monumental. With Vitória this in the table and Flamengo tied for fourth, Sunday could be a defining day in the Brasileiro. Depending on how Palmeiras does at Ipatinga (a match which also kicks off at the same time), Grêmio and Cruziero victories could open a four point gap between the top two and the rest of the league.
One week ago, six teams sat within that gap.
| Rank | Club | GP | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grêmio | 16 | 32 |
| 2 | Cruzeiro | 16 | 30 |
| 3 | Vitória | 16 | 29 |
| 4t | Palmeiras | 16 | 28 |
| 4t | Flamengo | 16 | 28 |
| 6 | Sao Paulo | 16 | 27 |
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