On the weekend, Palmeiras play Atlético Mineiro for the 16th round of the Brazilian Championship. In the first 15 matches, Palmeiras accumulated 32 points, with ten victories, two draws and three losses. After a sequence of seven consecutive victories in the tournament, Palmeiras failed to win the last two matches.
Until now, Palmeiras have picked up the same number of points as in 2016, the team’s best campaign at this stage in the Brasileirão under the current format. In 2016 Palmeiras also had 32 points after 15 games but the goal difference was better than this year’s (17 vs 12).
Walking away with points against Atlético Mineiro would take Palmeiras to at least 33 points, surpassing 2016’s campaign as Palmeiras’ best ever after 16 games in the tournament. As Flamengo continue to fumble, Atlético Mineiro remain the biggest threat to our 11th title. Cuca’s men, with 34 points, are currently sustaining the third best campaign of any team in the history of the Brasileirão under the current format.
Palmeiras have scored 27 goals (the most of any team) and conceded 12 in the Brasileirão 2021. Seven of those goals were scored in the first 15 minutes of the games (the most of any team) and eight were scored in the last 15 (also the most of any team, alongside Flamengo). Palmeiras have scored in every round but two (0-1 against Flamengo and 0-0 against São Paulo). The defensive problems have been reduced, but in the last home game, Palmeiras conceded three goals to Fortaleza.
Palmeiras have improved the football displayed in the last few rounds and the seven consecutive victories propelled the team to a momentary lead, but Atlético Mineiro’s eight victories in a row relegated Palmeiras to the second position. With the Libertadores also demanding attention, the next Brasileirão game, curiously featuring the current top two teams in the championship, will be of utmost importance.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
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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 