The Brasileirão Table continues to undergo changes.
Everything that was once unimaginable is now quite palpable.
Join us to find out what changes have occurred in the teams’ positions. Who will take the title? Who will fall to Serie B?
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Index
Botafogo vs Santos
Let’s highlight the period when Botafogo led the Brasileirão. From the 3rd round until the previous round (34th), they held the top spot for 31 rounds. However, since the beginning of the second leg, the Glorioso has been performing like a relegated team. Moreover, they experienced a 51% drop in performance compared to the first leg.
Even so, it took a while for Fogão to lose the lead, which came in a draw against Fortaleza.
Their opponent this time was Santos, fighting bravely against relegation. The Peixe, alongside Atlético Mineiro, has the longest current unbeaten streak in the competition, now at 7 games.
Botafogo, now led by Thiago Nunes, started the game with intense pressure, quickly opening the score within 10 minutes through a brilliant header by Danilo, who incidentally was the best player of the match.
From the start to the 45th minute, Glorioso outperformed Santos. With stellar performances from Junior Santos, Victor Sá, Tchê Tchê, Gabriel Pires, and Eduardo, the team created some chances but mainly prevented Santos from playing.
Therefore, except for a long-range shot by Jean Lucas, Peixe posed no threat.
However, when things go wrong, a solution seems out of reach.
Botafogo fans were already shouting at the top of their lungs, feeling that victory was near. Could Fogo break the seven-game winless streak and reclaim the Brasileirão lead?
We already know the answer.
Segovia, who came on late in the game, fouled Joaquim in the 44th minute of the second half.
A foul was given. On the ball, Soteldo, the little one. Contrary to many Alvinegro Praiano supporters, he passed the ball to Mendoza instead of sending a high ball into the box.
However, Soteldo had a plan. The Botafogo defense was inattentive. When the ball reached Mendoza, Soteldo dashed towards the byline. Mendoza returned the ball to the Venezuelan, who made a splendid body feint against Segovia, who was marking him.
The ball headed towards the byline, and with a cross that resembled more of a pass, it met Messias’s head, beating the marking and finding the back of Lucas Perri’s net.
Messias had already saved Santos by blocking a ball on the goal line.
Thus, Santos gained a valuable point in the relegation battle and overtook Vasco da Gama to 14th place, who had drawn with Athletico Paranaense.
On the other hand, Botafogo bids farewell to the title race, not because of mathematics – the team remains in 3rd place, trailing only Palmeiras and Flamengo by 1 point.
However, the team has suffered multiple setbacks. There is no perspective that Tiago Nunes’ squad will have the strength to end the Brasileirão with the title.
Botafogo should be very concerned about the possibility of losing the direct spot for the Copa Libertadores, as teams like Grêmio and Bragantino, currently outside the direct qualification zone, are just three points behind the former leaders.
Image: André Durão
América MG vs Flamengo
Flamengo spent a good part of the Brasileirão being underestimated.
It’s understandable. The most powerful squad in Brazil and the Americas faced failures in knockout competitions. There were multiple coach changes, as mentioned here several times.
However, the efforts to have the Brazilian national team coach for the last two World Cups seem to have paid off.
With yesterday’s victory, Mengão secured their 6th win under Tite’s command.
Among these 6 victories were some very consistent performances, such as the triumph over Palmeiras by 3-0 and against Vasco by 1-0.
Against América MG, already relegated, it was an obligation for Flamengo to win. And they did so with great assurance and composure.
A year that seemed lost now finds a glimmer of hope. The Rubro-Negro shares the same 63 points as Palmeiras but falls short on goal difference: 26 to 17.
Flamengo is more alive than ever.
Image: Gilvan de Souza / CRF
Atlético Mineiro vs Grêmio
This match would, as it did, be a turning point. Grêmio and Galo fought for the chance to compete for the title.
The winner would have the chance to chase Palmeiras, while the loser would settle for a spot in the Libertadores, directly or indirectly.
But the competition wasn’t just between two Brazilian giants neck and neck on the Brasileirão table. There was a lot riding on this match.
After the historic comeback against Botafogo, Imortal lost the chance to take the lead in the championship by losing at home to Corinthians, 1-0, despite playing most of the match with an extra player. A loss like this leaves scars. Failing to score against a team fighting relegation at home, with an extra man advantage, when they could’ve taken the lead, is significant.
On the other hand, alongside Santos, Galo has gone unbeaten for 7 games. Even before that, Galo’s surge has been impressive.
Under Coudet’s management, the team couldn’t justify their squad filled with star players, securing points in the lower half of the table.
The board brought in one of the greatest managers in history, Luiz Felipe Scolari, popularly known as Felipão.
Nevertheless, the start wasn’t easy. Believing in Scolari’s work was necessary, demonstrating why he has won everything in his career.
Galo improved by 19% compared to the first leg of the Brasileirão.
In the first half of the match, Grêmio had an early opportunity, but after that, Atlético’s dominance was comprehensive, scoring a screamer at 24′ with Guilherme Arana.
The ball was crossed, deflected by the defense, gaining height. Arana darted in and struck the ball in mid-air to open the scoring.
The second half mirrored the first. Tricolor Gaúcho had a chance to equalize early on, at 50 seconds, but Maurício Lemos cleared off the line.
He who doesn’t score, concedes. It’s an old football saying. Just 2 minutes later, Galo extended the lead with Zaracho.
At 12′, Hulk scored the third with his right foot to seal Galo’s victory and their fight for the title.
With the triumph, Atletico moved up to fourth place with 60 points, just three behind Palmeiras.
Grêmio, on the other hand, stayed put at 59 points and dropped to fifth place.
Image: Pedro Souza / Atlético
Fortaleza vs Palmeiras
Fortaleza had the opportunity to distance themselves from the specter of relegation, something almost no one believed possible at the start of the Brasileirão.
However, the defeat in the Copa Sudamericana final seemed to affect the psyche of the Leão’s players.
Since then, the team hasn’t won any of their seven games, including the match against Verdão.
Despite this, they seemed determined to turn the tide.
On the other side, Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras. What can we say about this team? The word that best defines them is maturity.
The players under the Portuguese coach acquired an impressive ability to handle uncomfortable situations. Moreover, they are a team that notably grows in moments of difficulty, unlike many other teams competing or who have competed for the top spot in Brasileirão at some point.
Fortaleza took the lead with a fantastic goal from Thiago Galhardo. Before that, Caio Alexandre had hit the crossbar with a powerful shot from outside the box.
Leão started the second half with a strong rhythm. Tinga had the chance to double the lead but shot wide.
The situation seemed to complicate for Palmeiras, especially when Gustavo Gomez was sent off at 13′.
For many teams, this would be the end of the line.
However, we’re not talking about any team. Somehow, Palmeiras matched Fortaleza, especially in set pieces.
Raphael Veiga, Verdão and Brazil’s national team midfielder, took his own rebound at 20′ and scored with great finesse, leveling the score.
Knowing their capabilities, Fortaleza wasn’t demoralized by conceding a goal. Just 4 minutes later, Calebe combined with Galhardo, putting the Ceará-based team back in front.
As expected, Palmeiras didn’t give up. After a corner kick cleared by the defense, the second ball was high for Piquerez, who took a long-range shot into the box, gaining a lot of altitude. He seemed to mishit the ball, but appearances can be deceiving. It found Murillo’s head, who headed it to the far post where Zé Rafael was rushing in.
Palmeiras’ midfielder struck first time to equalize the game.
What does this draw mean?
For Palmeiras, everything. If they had lost the match, Flamengo would have taken the lead and Palmeiras would’ve depended solely on themselves to become champions. However, with the draw and maintaining the top position, Palmeiras only needs to rely on themselves to become champions once again.
Fortaleza, however, faces complications. Despite the slim chances of relegation, it’s necessary to be on high alert. There are mathematical possibilities of dropping to Serie B since Cruzeiro, the first team in the relegation zone, plays today against Goiás. If they win, they’ll reach the same 44 points as Leão.
Image: Lance!
The Crazy Brasileirão Table
Three rounds from the end, the only conclusion we can draw is that the Brazilian Championship is one of the best leagues in the world.
Not necessarily because of the level of football played, which is also very high, but mainly due to the competitiveness among the teams.
It’s very rare to reach this stage with six teams competing for the title. On the other end of the table, seven teams fight with all their might to stay in Serie A.
Among these seven teams battling against relegation are some of Brazil’s biggest teams, such as Santos, Cruzeiro, Vasco, and Corinthians.
Given this, the first step is not to lose any match in this final stretch and, more importantly, stay tuned to the Calcio Deal for further updates.
Imagem: TNT Sports Reproduction
Escrito por Vitor F L Miller.
