Expecting a team willing to recover after a bad result at home, palmeirenses witnessed an innocuous team. In three minutes – 14th and 17th – the team suffered two goals and left the most optimistic supporter hopeless. If Flamengo beat Atlético Mineiro today – which is expected – the gap to the leaders increases to eight points. The race for the title would still be achievable, but very hard, primarily due to Palmeiras not showing sign of consistence and willpower.
Line-up
Jailson; Marcos Rocha, Luan, Vitor Hugo and Diogo Barbosa; Felipe Melo, Bruno Henrique, Scarpa (Zé Rafael); Willian, Dudu and Luiz Adriano (Carlos Eduardo).
Carlos Eduardo and Felipe Melo received yellow cards. Willian was sent earlier to the showers.
Green light
Palmeiras’ bus driver; apparently the only one putting out a decent performance yesterday.
Yellow light
Luiz Adriano left the game feeling discomfort to the back of his thigh in the 25th minute, which is very troublesome, as Palmeiras lack a substitute center-forward. Yesterday, Mano Menezes sent Carlos Eduardo in his place and displaced Willian to the center of the attack, with exactly zero result.
Red light
It’s getting old and boring, but we cannot but keep repeating: something happened with this team during the Copa América break. The way the players were knocked out after Santos’ opener was nerve-racking. We know the problem is not the coach; this happened under Felipão and continues under Mano.
Next challenge
Palmeiras have a theoretically easier game next round, Saturday, against Botafogo at the Pacaembu stadium (there is yet another concert taking place at the Allianz Parque). On a well-maintained pitch, against a weak opponent, a victory is mandatory to keep the dream alive.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
– – – ooo – – –
by Augusto Anteghini Oazi
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 
‘hopeless’
The best team’s definiton.