A defence that no-one can get past

Palmeiras’ anthem features a line that praises “a defence that no-one can get past”. So far this season, few things hold more true.

Palmeiras’ defensive numbers in 2019 are impressive. The team has conceded only 8 goals in 29 games, piling up 22 cleans sheets. The only game where the team conceded more than once was in the 3-2 victory against Ituano at the Allianz Parque.

Out of the eight goals conceded, four came in the first half and four in the second half. None of them in the last 15 minutes of the game: the latest goal Palmeiras conceded was Ituano’s second, in the 74th minute – a goal that did not cause any harm, as the scorecard was already 3-1.

Palmeiras are also very strong in the first minutes of the match: the only goal suffered within the first 30 minutes came against Corinthians, in the 1-0 defeat for the São Paulo state Championship.

In the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras have so far conceded only one goal in six rounds, which gives us an 0.17 average. São Paulo FC hold the record for best defence in any Brasileirão edition: in 2007, they suffered 19 goals in 38 rounds (0.5 average), with two goals in the first six rounds.

Palmeiras’ defenders actually score more goal than they concede. Gustavo Gómez, called up for Paraguay’s National Team, has already scored twice for the Verdão in this year’s Brazilian Championship. Alongside Luan, the couple last weekend against Botafogo broke the mark of 1.000 minutes straight without conceding.

A team that does not concede does not lose. A team that does not lose has a great chance of bagging titles. Maintaining the current form, Palmeiras’ probabilities of having a great year rises to the skies.

Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!

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by Augusto Anteghini Oazi