Last Thursday, Palmeiras followed up the 4-1 away victory inflicting a 5-2 beating of Vitória for a 9-3 aggregate and unprecedented Brazilian U20 Championship title for the Verdão. The U20 are truly living a great moment: scoring 36 goals in 14 games (2.6 average), our young suffered but one defeat in the whole tournament.
Coached by Wesley Carvalho – who stepped up to lead the A team in between Roger Machado and Luiz Felipe Scolari – the U20 squad has several names that attract attention, most notably left-back Luan Cândido (only 17, he scored a hat trick in the finals and is observed by Manchester City), defender Vitão (on Barcelona’s scouting list) and midfielder Alanzinho (Real Madrid possible). In addition, midfielder Gabriel Menino and right-back Matheus Rocha have shown excellent potential, while midfielder Vitinho and attackers Papagaio (top scorer of the Brasileirão sub-20) and Yan (vice-top scorer) are already training with the main squad. And let’s not forget forward Aníbal, integrating the Paraguayan U20 national team.
Palmeiras’ U20 are also a strong contender to a spot in the São Paulo championship final after beating Ponte Preta away 4-1 in the first leg of the semi-finals, the return game taking place next week. In addition, Palmeiras await the definition of date and place of the finals of the Supercopa Brasil, against São Paulo, worth a spot in next year’s U20 Libertadores Cup.
How about the other youth divisions, how are they faring?
The U11 are in the semi-finals of the São Paulo championship and tied their first game 2-2 against Corinthians at the Parque São Jorge, the return game taking place this weekend at Palmeiras’ training facilities in Guarulhos.
The U13 are also in the semi-finals of the São Paulo championship, having won the first game against Noroeste 2-0, the return game taking place this upcoming weekend in Guarulhos.
The U15 are, surprise, in the semi-finals of the São Paulo Championship, having beaten Santos 3-1 in the first game. This weekend, in Guarulhos, the two teams clash again, battling for a spot in the finals.
The U17 beat Novorizontino 2-1 in the first leg of the Paulista championship semi-finals, the second leg taking place next week in Guarulhos. The U17 are also in the group of 16 of the Brazil Cup, in a few day’s time needing to revert last week’s 1-0 defeat in Rio de Janeiro to Vasco da Gama.
As you notice, plenty to keep an eye on.
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ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 