Palmeiras performed just enough to beat San Lorenzo 1-0 in the Libertadores Cup with a sole goal from Gustavo Scarpa: the midfielder came on for 14 minutes in the second half to score the goal and almost an assist, before receiving a blow to the knee and exiting – shouldn’t be anything too serious, but better await confirmation. The victory guaranteed Palmeiras the best campaign in the group stage for the second consecutive year – a first in the history of the Libertadores.
Line-up
Weverton; Mayke, Luan, Gustavo Gómez and Victor Luis; Felipe Melo, Moisés, Raphael Veiga (Scarpa), (Lucas Lima) and Zé Rafael, Dudu and Borja (Arthur).
Mayke, Luan and Felipe Melo received yellow cards.
Green light
Best campaign, best attack (13 goals scores), best defense (1 goal conceded), no goals conceded at home. Palmeiras’ numbers under Felipão’s command are undeniable.
Yellow light
Palmeiras’ first half against San Lorenzo was surprisingly uninspiring, in particular considering the five non-regular starters you’d expect to come on ablaze.
Red light
The refereeing was appalling and biased, ignoring two penalties for Palmeiras and allowing San Lorenzo to go rough at will, keeping the yellow in his pocket.
Allianz Parque featured thirteen thousand empty seats yesterday. Ticket pricing surely plays a big part here and a review is urgently needed.
And the pitch, oh the pitch… Latin America’s most modern stadium fails to deliver again and again. How much longer, Wtorre/Allianz Parque?
Knockout phase
CONMEBOL will draw the games of the knockout phase on Monday 13 May. Palmeiras have secured the advantage of playing all return games at home, except for the final, which will be played in a single game on neutral ground (Estadio Nacional, Santiago de Chile).
Next challenge
Atlético-MG, away, on Sunday 12 May, for the fourth round of the Brazilian Championship. The game pitches the current leader vs the runners-up and a victory propels Palmeiras to pole position. Due to the still unresolved situation with RGT, no images will be broadcasted. Glue a radio to your ear and tune in, just as against CSA.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
– – – ooo – – –
by Augusto Anteghini Oazi & Kristian Bengtson
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 