Latest defeats against Corinthians have followed one of two scripts: 1) Corinthians find an opener in the early minutes then park the bus; 2) Palmeiras dominate but waste all opportunities to see the rival find an unlikely goal in the dying minutes.
Last Saturday, everything pointed toward the second scenario, in particular after Scarpa failed to convert a penalty. Corinthians scored on injury time, but Palmeiras bounced back, Bruno Henrique scoring the equaliser just before the final whistle.
Line-up
Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Vitor Hugo and Diogo Barbosa; Thiago Santos, Bruno Henrique and Scarpa (Carlos Eduardo); Zé Rafael (Willian), Dudu and Deyverson (Borja).
Marcos Rocha and Thiago Santos received yellow cards.
Green light
The only good outcome after such a disappointing result is that the team did not throw in the towel: the equaliser was the result of intense pressure and had the match endured another ten minutes, a Palmeiras victory would have been the logical result.
Yellow light
Palmeiras created and blew many opportunities, as so often during the season. In the Brasileirão, Palmeiras feature the same number of defeats as leaders Flamengo (3), but the double amount of draws (10 vs 5).
Red light
It’s hard to accept, but the championship title has gone too remote even for the most optimistic palmeirense. Flamengo would have to lose three games and draw a fourth in the last six rounds, while Palmeiras would have to win all of them. Impossible is nothing, but…
Next challenge
With a full week of rest and training, Palmeiras’ next game is against Bahia, away, on Sunday the 16th. Bahia are performing very badly in the second half of the championship, after being one of the surprises of the first half. A victory is important to maintain the gap to Santos and secure the runners-up position.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
– – – ooo – – –
by Augusto Anteghini Oazi & Kristian Bengtson
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 