Libertadores away game and Palmeiras spare five regular starters from even traveling to Ecuador. A strategy unimaginable for a team that a few years back used to struggle to advance from the group phase, but now has a 100% winning record after the three opening games for the third consecutive year, paving the path to the knockout stage.
Even without Dudu and Raphael Veiga in charge of the attack, Palmeiras found ways to threaten Emelec’s target with ease. Before Rony’s opener in the 19th minute, Scarpa had already hit the woodwork and Rony himself lost a clear opportunity.
The second goal came only six minutes after the opener with Gabriel Veron sprinting for 40 meters Usain-style before firing away in the bottom left corner of the goalkeeper. The 2-0 at halftime was little compared to what Palmeiras created.
In the second half our men didn’t seem too interested in increasing the lead, but had a golden opportunity with Rony in the 60th minute, but Rony incredibly missed the target. Immediately after, Emelec initiated the play that ended with them diminishing the gap, turning a possible 3-0 into a dangerous 2-1.
The goal nurtured Emelec’s hope of a draw against the current Libertadores champions and Weverton had to work hard fence off the attacks. Relief came in the dying minutes as Breno Lopes scored a surreal goal to put final numbers to the game.
The perfect start in the Libertadores was expected due to Palmeiras’ superiority in relation to the opponents, but it is surprising that Abel is doing so with alternative teams in all of the matches. The opportunity of resting key players will be very important to keep Palmeiras fighting for the titles in the other tournaments taking place simultaneously, while securing the future advantages of coming out from the group stage as top dog.
Scoppia che la vittoria è nostra!
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by Augusto Anteghini Oazi
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 