In the return of the Libertadores Cup, Palmeiras maintained a perfect record in the competition, winning the third consecutive game. The altitude of La Paz always complicates visiting teams, but the lack of rhythm of Bolívar, playing their first official match in six months, allowed Palmeiras to return to Brazil with three points and closer to the knockout stage.
Palmeiras displayed a good football in the first half, scoring the opener in the 34th minute, with Willian from the penalty spot. The second half offered more spaces, as Bolívar were trying to equalize, and Gabriel Menino seized those spaces to fire an incredible shot in the 60th minute, making it 2-0. Bolívar scored in the 67th minute and the final minutes were tense, but Palmeiras resisted to the pressure of the home team and guaranteed another game of invincibility.
Line-up
Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Luan, Gustavo Gómez and Viña; Gabriel Menino, Ramires (Bruno Henrique) and Zé Rafael (Scarpa); Raphael Veiga (Danilo), Rony (Verón) and Willian (Vitor Hugo).
Zé Rafael, Gabriel Menino, Bruno Henrique and Danilo received yellow cards.
Green Light
Rony finally gave reasons to palmeirenses believe him. The winger made against Bolívar his best game since his arrival at the Academia de Futebol. He suffered the penalty converted by Willian, assisted Gabriel Menino’s goal and created good opportunities. He’s still missing his first goal wearing green, but it will happen soon.
Yellow Light
After Menino’s goal, it looked like Palmeiras would finally finish the game in a calm manner, but an inattention of our defense allowed Bolívar a goal. Luxemburgo chose to recoil the team and the last 15 minutes had many balls being crossed to Palmeiras’ box. Another error would be fatal, as we’ve seen in previous games.
Red Light
Three victories out of three games for the Libertadores Cup turns off the red light for today.
Next Challenge
Palmeiras continue the tour over South America with a travel to Porto Alegre, where Grêmio await for 10th round of the Brazilian League, on Sunday 20th. Grêmio is going through their worst spell under Renato Gaúcho, but they only have been defeated once in the tournament, drawing six out of their nine games.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
– – – ooo – – –
by Augusto Anteghini Oazi
*Here at Anything Palmeiras, we love football. We love Palmeiras. We are always keen to see Palmeiras play, and keen to write about it for you. But we’re against the return of football in a country that still hasn’t controlled the coronavirus pandemic. We express our deepest sympathy to the families whose loved ones have been taken by the disease.
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 