With more players recovered from covid, Abel Ferreira had for the first time in weeks more than one possible lineup to choose from. The advantage built in the first leg allowed him to spare some of the regular starters – for example Rony, Zé Rafael and Raphael Veiga – building a team to seize the spaces Delfín would offer, having to decrease a two goal advantage to go to the next phase.
Palmeiras did well already in the first half, creating many opportunities and scoring the opener in the 29th minute with a beautiful shot from Patrick de Paula. In the second half, with even more spaces, Veron commanded the KO of Delfín, scoring two beautiful goals and assisting Willian. Just before the final whistle, Danilo scored his first for the professional team, assisted by Gabriel Silva.
Line-up
Weverton; Gabriel Menino, Luan, Gustavo Gómez and Viña (Mayke); Patrick de Paula (Zé Rafael), Danilo and Scarpa (Alan Empereur); Lucas Lima (Raphael Veiga), Veron and Willian (Gabriel Silva).
Patrick de Paula received a yellow card.
Green Light
Palmeiras remain thrashing every opponent that visit the Allianz Parque in the Libertadores Cup. With the five goals scored against Delfín, the team now has the best attack of the tournament, with 25 goals scored in eight games, an incredible average of more than three goals per game. The opponents so far have undoubtedly been weaker than the ones coming up, but the strength on display by Palmeiras is exciting.
Yellow Light
Supporters are getting used to exhibitions like this. We won’t accept 1-0 victories with ugly goals anymore!
Red Light
Injuries are taking a heavy toll on the side stemming from the legendary “Football Academy”: against Delfín, Scarpa and Patrick de Paula left the field in the first half due to medical conditions. Scarpa hit his head, got dizzy, but should be available for Saturday’s. Patrick felt the back of his right thigh rip and will likely miss play for several weeks.
Next Challenge
The game against Santos for the Brazilian League has been advanced to Saturday 5th, since Palmeiras might play the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Libertadores Cup already upcoming Tuesday. Palmeiras are growing stronger at the right moment of the season, with many decisions to come in the next few weeks. Let’s hope this momentum lasts until we bag all the titles up for grabs.
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 