Against Mano Menezes’ former club, Palmeiras played well enough to guarantee the third victory out of three with the new coach on command. The goal was scored in the dying minute of the first half, Bruno Henrique slamming it in from close range, taking advantage of the confusion inside the box resulting from players scrambling for the ball and falling like bowling pins.
Line-up
Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Vitor Hugo and Diogo Barbosa; Felipe Melo, Bruno Henrique, Scarpa (Lucas Lima); Willian (Zé Rafael), Dudu and Luiz Adriano (Borja).
Dudu and Felipe Melo received yellow cards.
Green light
For the second consecutive game, Palmeiras produced a clean sheet. Could have gone sour already in the 5th minute, but Weverton performed two consecutive spectacular saves and after that, Cruzeiro hardly threatened his goal again.
Yellow light
Palmeiras failed to increase the lead in the second half and Luiz Adriano, later Borja, did not receive any balls in position to score. Possibly Mano Menezes in this first week of labour has focused on the defensive (which wouldn’t surprise anyone, considering his characteristics) and will progressively attend the other sectors.
Red light
Red light for the yellow card awarded Felipe Melo. During yesterday’s game, there were many similar fouls committed by other players left unpunished; Melo sometimes crosses the line and should be criticised when he does, but undeniably, referees judge him applying tougher criteria.
First half completed
Palmeiras’ performance in the first half of the 2019 edition of the Brazilian Championship is the best the team has achieved since the tournament adopted the current format (round-robin with 20 teams). With 39 points, Palmeiras are trailing the leaders by three points. Upcoming week, we’ll do a recap, bringing you more numbers here at Anything Palmeiras.
Next challenge
Mano Menezes will enjoy his first full week of training before the next game of the Brazilian Championship. Palmeiras play Fortaleza on 22 September, at the Fonte Nova Arena. Dudu is suspended after receiving his third yellow yesterday against Cruziero. It will be interesting to see who Mano promotes in his place: Dudu is an indisputable starter. Carlos Eduardo, perhaps?
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
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by Augusto Anteghini Oazi & Kristian Bengtson
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 