In the last game of interim coach Andrey “Cebola” Lopes, observed from the stands by newly arrived Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras displayed the best football in a long time. Against a team praised for its intensity, our players were lined-up to take advantage of the weaknesses Atlético show in their defensive transitions.
The first half saw Palmeiras offering little space to Sampaoli’s team and creating the opener through fast passes that ended with Viña crossing to Raphael Veiga’s header. In the second half, with Atlético Mineiro going for the equalizer, the spaces for counter-attacks appeared. Zé Rafael and Luiz Adriano took advantage of these opportunities and assisted Rony and Wesley, who only had the job of pushing the ball to the back of the net.
Line-up
Weverton; Gabriel Menino, Luan, Gustavo Gómez and Viña; Felipe Melo, Zé Rafael and Raphael Veiga; Wesley (Danilo), Rony (Gabriel Veron) and Luiz Adriano (Willian).
Felipe Melo and Gabriel Menino received yellow cards.
Green Light
The speed and effectiveness of Rony and Wesley were paramount to build the victory against Atlético Mineiro. Rony continues to frequently make wrong decisions, but at least got some of them right tonight, scoring his first goal in a match that wasn’t already 4-0. Wesley participated in all of the goals, scoring the third to put final numbers to the game.
Yellow Light
Will the team keep this intensity for the next game or was it just a show-off for the new coach? We know about the quality of our squad and the critics of supporters were mainly about the blasé attitude that led to inexplicable defeats against Botafogo, Coritiba and Fortaleza.
Red Light
A 3-0 victory against the coach that thinks he is the Guardiola of South America turns off the red light for today.
Next Challenge
In the likely debut of new coach Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras play the return leg of the Brazil Cup this upcoming Thursday, the 5th. Having won the first leg 3-1, even a defeat by a margin of one goal takes the team to the next round. A good opportunity for the Portuguese to get a first feel for the squad, enjoy what should be a smooth start.
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 