Amidst the celebrations of the Libertadores Cup title and the arrangements for the journey to Qatar, where the FIFA Club World Cup will be held, Palmeiras were obliged to play the 33rd round of the Brazilian League. The opponent, Botafogo, is the worst team in the tournament and the task of picking up the three points should have been easy, even for the alternative line-up chosen by Abel Ferreira.
The opener came in the 16th minute, with Émerson Santos heading a ball crossed by Scarpa to score his first goal in the Palmeiras jersey. Before halftime, Willian blew what probably was the clearest scoring opportunity Palmeiras ever created this season. In the 59th minute, the punishment came as Navarro scored the equalizer, after Lucas Lima practically handed the ball over to Botafogo. Palmeiras’ performance against the bottom-4 continues terrible, with only one victory in six games.
Line-up
Weverton; Mayke, Émerson Santos (Kuscevic), Alan Empereur (Gabriel Silva) and Renan; Felipe Melo (Gabriel Menino), Patrick de Paula and Lucas Lima (Lucas Esteves); Scarpa, Breno Lopes and Willian
Breno Lopes and Alan Empereur received yellow cards.
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Green Light
Nobody got injured ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Yellow Light
Repeating the achievement in the turn against Botafogo, Willian’s inaccuracy cost Palmeiras a couple of points. The goal he missed in the first half, when the scorecard was 1-0, is unforgiving.
Red Light
It’s repetitive to point this out, but Lucas Lima again disappointed after receiving a chance in the starting eleven. While other players were fighting to show Abel Ferreira their worth, Lucas Lima’ attitude remained unfocused and uninterested, as so many times before. Apart from not creating anything, he deserves the flak for losing the ball that resulted in the equalizer.
Next Challenge
Palmeiras depart tonight for Qatar, where the delegation will undergo a rigid quarantine scheme to minimize risks of a covid infection. The first game for the FIFA Club World Cup is on Sunday, 7th, against Tigres (Mexico) or Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea). The game to define Palmeiras’ opponent is on Thursday, 4th.
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 