Yesterday, at the Tenente Carriço stadium in Penápolis, Palmeiras had little difficulty in securing a third straight victory, beating Penapolense 0-2 after two braces by Cristaldo. The Argentine striker is turning into the kind of #9 Palmeiras supporters enjoy: fast, combative, hungry and efficient.
Expectations were for the debut of Arouca, but as the team has been performing rather well lately and, physically speaking, Arouca is still in a preparatory phase, coach Oswaldo is not rushing it. Instead, he opted for the following line-up: Fernando Prass; Lucas, Tobio, Vitor Hugo and João Paulo; Gabriel and Robinho; Allione (Rafael Marques), Alan Patrick (Victor Luis) and Dudu; Cristaldo (Leandro Pereira). Game highlights below.
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In the press conference that followed the game, Oswaldo promised Arouca will pull on his jersey against Capivariano on Saturday; Capivariano who will come pumped after having won their first game in this years’ Paulistão, beating Marília 3-0. The coach did not indicate who will be making space for Arouca in the starting eleven, but as both Robinho and Gabriel have put out solid performances, I’d say it’s between Allione and Alan Patrick, with the latter hanging pretty loose.
Oswaldo’s attitude toward Valdivia is the same as with Arouca: only when the player is 100% fit will he be put to good use. With less than six months remaining of the Chilean’s contract, he is actually free to sign with and other club, but director of football Alexandre Mattos is keeping his cool. We might very well see Valdivia renew his contract in the end, but only if for a shorter period and at a considerably lower price. No doubt Mattos has a very clear idea about where the cost/benefit line must be drawn.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 