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Grêmio was scalded in Morumbi. After trying to go away to play and being eliminated on penalties by Atlético in the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil last year and defeated by Flamengo and Santos in the Libertadores, Renato Gaúcho’s team prepared not to let play to São Paulo. Simple like that.
Lucas Silva and Matheus Henrique protecting the last line of defense, with the support of Alisson and Pepê on the wings and even Jean Pyerre retiring to assist. Too much concentration in fights and chases not to be involved by the opponent’s movement. And still the best opportunity of the game, with Víctor Ferraz finishing, with total freedom in the Pauline area, in the post of Tiago Volpi.
Fernando Diniz’s team lost a lot without the suspended Reinaldo and the injured Luciano. It lacked depth to the left and more area. Leo contributed little in support and Tche Tche worked against Atlético Mineiro because he had spaces between the defense and the rival center of the field to move. Grêmio denied any breach with absolute surrender.
São Paulo did not finish a ball into Vanderlei’s goal in the 90th minute, also because he insisted on the crosses (35 in total) and possession of the ball was absolutely harmless. The goals lost by Brenner and Luciano in Porto Alegre were more lost than imagined. It makes no sense to complain about a little extra time or that the opponent draws the game when there is so little at home.
It is the ninth final of the Copa do Brasil for the Rio Grande do Sul team, which is seeking the sixth title. The cup culture that always puts the Brazilian on points at the end of the line and Renato’s four years of work make Grêmio a favorite in the Brazil Cup.
Also because Palmeiras seems to be at the limit of his strength. He played the role in the playoffs, taking advantage of the favorable draw in the continental tournament and crossing with Lisca’s surprising America, who sent Corinthians and Internacional home.
Performance, however, has plummeted. The enveloping team and with well-coordinated sectors gave way to a spaced team, which suffered against a valuable team, but from Serie B. Abel Ferreira’s men remembered for a few moments the worst moments of Palmeiras de Cuca, Felipão, Mano and Luxemburg . Too dependent on direct play and dead balls, including throw-ins in the rival area by Marcos Rocha.
Back in Independência, when America was better, with organization and Sávio, Juninho and Ademir bothering in the 4-3-1-2 that returned to 4-1-4-1 in the second half, Palmeiras fit into a good transition and Luiz Adriano knocked Matheus Cavichioli out of reach with a “billiard shot”. Without force, but precise. The center forward now has 17 goals this season, matching Willian.
On the stopped ball, Ron’s goal on the goalkeeper’s rebound that defined the classification of a team that improved a bit with Lucas Lima, Gustavo Scarpa and Patrick de Paula on the field and dismantling a very plastered 4-2-3-1 with Willian and Ron at the ends and Raphael Veiga again null in creation. The team was again an advantage against a more fragile opponent.
And it will be fundamental for Abel Ferreira in the crazy marathon that is coming. Nine games in January, almost one every three days. Even against River Plate, on days 5 and 12 of the semifinal of the Libertadores. Of course, Abel can take turns in the Brazilian’s games. But be careful, because even with the possibility of expanding the places for the next edition of the South American competition, the distance to Corinthians, ninth place, is only five points, with Palmeiras still needing to fulfill the home game against Vasco to adapt to all 27 rounds.
If he reaches the final of the Libertadores on January 30, in Maracaná, he will start another match in the first month of 2021 and will have to reorganize the calendar. Or play for team C against Botafogo the next day. And being bi from South America, it becomes complicated once and for all: how to decide the Brazil Cup on February 3 and 10 and play the semifinal of the Club World Cup in Doha, on the 7 or 8?
Of course, if you fall in front of River, nothing impossible, even the Argentine team seems to be living a better moment, the mission will be the same as that of Grêmio: focus on the Cup and manage the G-6 in the correct points. But with absurd physical and mental wear and tear for those who will now only have one week off, with the New Year in between, something that has not happened since the end of August. Long before Abel Ferreira arrived.
The Portuguese is turning around. Renato Gaúcho was pragmatic against São Paulo and will once again make his team the guard in another final. With quality, but also mental strength and probably more legs than a Palmeiras that resists, but seems to break with each game.
(Statistics: SofaScore)
