Brazilian Football

[voltage]

Opened this thread due to the start of 2016 Brazilian National Football Championship past Saturday.

The Brazilian Championship (popularly known as “Brasileirão”) is our most important national football competition. It contains 20 clubs disputing the title in 38 rounds of accumulative points from May to December. In the end the first four places receives the right to participate on the next edition of Copa Libertadores da América being the fourth (in exception cases the third too) not direct in the groups phase having to face pre confrontations (Pré Libertadores). The last four places get relegated while the four firsts of second series are promoted. The first five places get the right to get in Copa do Brasil already in the round of 16. And the table position at Brasileirão is also important to classify to Copa Sudmericana since among the eliminated ones of Copa do Brasil until the third round the six best positioned of Brasileirão gets to join Sudamericana.

Don’t know if anyone else here is interested in Brazilian football (probably no) but everyone is welcomed. Feel free to even post jokes about Brazilian football if you want, whatever.

 

[voltage]

1st round

Flamengo 1x0 Sport
Sport started the game kind of messy what was very good to Flamengo that got to score already in the beginning. But in the course Sport found some organization at least enough to stop Flamengo’s goal attempts. Sport had another disadvantage with Rithley’s red card but at this point Flamengo was more worried to keep the victory than expand the score.

Palmeiras 4x0 Atlético-PR
Palmeiras changed a lot. Who saw them in other competition this year couldn’t say this is the same team (but surprisingly is the same squad, same coach just different in the way of playing). They had an excellent match with the greatest amount of right moves of first round and with an amazing score. If they manage to keep like this they’ll strongly fight for the title.

Atlético-MG 1x0 Santos
There it is a team great at home but weak away: Santos. They really have to improve in this sector if they want to be candidates to the title. Atlético was with their second team because of Libertadores in the middle of week but Santos away and without Ricardo Oliveira and Lucas Lima struggled a lot, another motive to them to worry since both will be with our national team for Copa América Centenario and Santos will have to keep dealing it without them.

Coritiba 1x0 Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro surely isn’t in a good phase. This game was very defensive and consequently got kind of violent what resulted in two Cruzeiro’s players sent out. This lets things easier to Coritiba open and keep the score though they also didn’t have an admirable performance.

Botafogo 0x1 São Paulo
São Paulo playing away and with the second team was very worrying but against a Botafogo with a squad in its majority inexperienced in the first championship and without their reference Jefferson. The goal came from a beautiful free kick from Lucas Fernandes and it’s nice to see we have a potential kicker among our youngsters. Who also got a chance was the goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro and showed to be firm, I would like to see him receiving more chances to see his full skills since Denis is not being everything expected for the position until now. Botafogo created some chances while São Paulo was defending well but not taking the front this much until Michel Bastos and Kelvin (first team) come in.

Santa Cruz 4x1 Vitória
Santa Cruz was one of the promoted teams to this and had a stunning start. Highlights to Grafite who was the man: goals, beautiful moves, assistances. Surely a guy to the adversaries to take care with.

Corinthians 0x0 Grêmio
Once more I have to say Corinthians is a very organizated team due to Tite. But they lack individual skills, someone to be decisive or just to bring the team to the attack. Everything seems nice when you look their back but when they try to create some chances nothing seems to work that well. They need to find a player to supply it to get out of the mediocrity. Grêmio tried to attack in the beginning but well blocked they soon seemed comfortable with the tie and played to keep it. Corinthians in the end just had a boom and came to attack a lot but still they miss someone who can put the ball into the nets.

Figueirense 0x0 Ponte Preta
The standard of the teams’ kind of balanced despite a bit of superiority from Ponte Preta. Both tried a lot to score and just didn’t because of bad finalizations/sight.

América-MG 0x1 Fluminense
Fluminense had some hardships but more due to themselves than América. They kept the ball possession but made many mistakes while trying to reach the nets and also were prejudiced by the ref. Though they have Fred, front decisive man, who in a good assistance from Richarlison didn’t disappoint.

Internacional 0x0 Chapecoense
Inter had its chances: one more man and a penalty (missed). But Chapecoense playing away was very cautious and put a strongly defensive system that took effect.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Didn't realize Santa Cruz were in the first division. Great post as usual Voltage!

 

[voltage]

Thank you.
Santa Cruz got through a big reformulation last year what's bringing them good results as the promotion and also even some regional trophies.

 

[voltage]

2nd round

Ponte Preta 2x1 Palmeiras
As it seems Palmeiras is still inconstant. After a great match on the 1st round they fell to Ponte Preta. Palmeiras was playing ok but their defence mistakes were crucial and Ponte could take advantage of this very well and that’s how they got the lead already in the first half. Palmeiras cashed at the last minutes but there wasn’t any more time to try the tie. There was an cancelled goal that received a lot complain but for what I see the decision of not validating it was right.

Fluminense 2x2 Santa Cruz
Grafite is a monster. Another match scoring Santa Cruz goals and some people still said he was too old for that. It was a very disputed match though. After Santa Cruz opening the score Fluminense had a very good turnout but a penalty (very dubious but Fluminense also had a dubious lance on one of their goals so exchanged lead doesn’t hurt) gave back the lead to
Santa Cruz.

Cruzeiro 2x2 Figueirense
Rafael Moura in a great performance scored the two Figueirense’s goal and what seemed to end up as a victory changed with a beautiful goal from Éber who started Cruzeiro’s – not much effective at first – reaction but the entrance of Douglas Coutinho was an up and he got to tie it.

Santos 2x1 Coritiba
Coritiba scored first and created great chances to expand the score. With the lack of effectiveness to use these chances, Santos in a free kick got the tie. It seemed fated to end up tied but the ref gave 7 minutes of extra time what annoyed Coritiba a lot because within this time Santos turned out the match.

Atlético PR 1x1 Atlético MG
In opposition to the final score the game was very active. Atlético PR opened the score with only 9 minutes of game but subsequently to put the ball in the net got harder to both. Despite Atlético PR having the most favorable factors to keep the win their nerves ruined them even more when their coach was sent off. Atlético MG then with a calmer mentality was able to get the tie in a penalty.

Vitória 3x2 Corinthians
Tite gave a try to change on the team scheme for it. While he can’t have new pieces for the squad to try some changes is the best he can do despite this one didn’t give good results but it’s better to keep trying until get it right than to insist in the same old thing that clearly wasn’t giving results. Corinthians even could lead it but Vitória got to turn out and despite Corinthians betting in the strong attack on the last minutes, as it was against Grêmio, Vitória could keep the victory.

São Paulo 1x2 Internacional
For me it was a balanced match but São Paulo lacked some boldness to attack more. Not saying we didn’t attacked ‘cause we did but it missed some braveness to create moves to infiltrate better Inter’s defence. Internacional on the other hand did well on this factor. Despite not creating a lot they used well their chances, so they got their first goal. The match then got very controlled with both teams blocking the other well but São Paulo once more in a free kick scored. For a little moment it was a relieve but right after Inter armed a great counterattack and scored again.

Grêmio 1x0 Flamengo
Flamengo is not in a good phase. And an elimination this week attenuated even more the pressure on the team. This didn’t serve to Flamengo react though. Grêmio played better and constantly reached with dangerous Flamengo’s goal area mainly with Giuliano. And the score wasn’t bigger for Grêmio because Flamengo’s goalkeeper Paulo Victor did important saves.

Chapecoense 3x1 América MG
América MG started in the lead because of a penalty (dubious marked). But at the second half Chapecoense showed their offensive power (they seems more comfortable to attack when playing at home) and it worked really fine.

Sport 1x1 Botafogo
A match marked by the lack of sight to finalize the balls. Botafogo had many clear goal chances while Sport also had two very good ones at the end but both couldn’t use it well unless the single goals for each one.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Guessing Paolo Guerrero isn't doing well?

 

[voltage]

Guerrero isn't really doing well. Statistically he has more cards than goals for Flamengo. But the team in a whole is in a bad moment so it contributes to him not doing good mostly 'cause he technically is one of the best players Flamengo has and in the attack he is the reference.

 

[voltage]

3rd round

Botafogo 2x1 Atlético-PR
Atlético PR played better for many times but they missed a lot of goals. And with Botafogo’s attackers Ribamar and Neilton in a good start of championship that was their chance to get a win.

Figueirense 2x2 Santos
I don’t think there was a team who excelled here. Santos with 10 man achieved the goals because of penalties and Figueirense only got the tie in the extra time but it was from a nice play and I suspect they had a penalty in favor not marked by the ref which would give them the win but I think the tie was fair though.

Flamengo 2x2 Chapecoense
Flamengo was in its way to a new defeat but a dubious penalty on the last minute saved their skin. Still Flamengo has a lot to improve to get out of this bad phase.

América MG 1x1 Vitória
First half was really awful, no creations and many mistakes from both sides. But the second half improved meaningfully for both. América almost kept the win but in a mistake of them Vitória got the tie.

Palmeiras 2x0 Fluminense
Here we go with Palmeiras oscillation. After a defeat to Ponte Preta now they’re back with a good win though Fluminense didn’t that bad but failed in all the chances created. I hope Palmeiras keep in this rollercoaster in the next round since the game is against São Paulo.

Coritiba 1x1 São Paulo
Actually São Paulo played well and was better in field for most of the time. But it’s the same thing of past goals, a lack to end the ball and audacity to infiltrate the adversary’s goal area. Then Coritiba in a dangerous play get to score. We only tied with the entrance of Rogério. Despite having a better way of playing São Paulo has to improve to be efficient ‘cause there’s no point in playing better but still not being able to win.

Santa Cruz 4x1 Cruzeiro
Santa Cruz is on fire. Grafite is on fire. Grafite once again scored two goals reaching a mark of scoring two goals in all games played on Brasileirão 2016 until now. Cruzeiro played very poorly and Santa totally controlled the match.

Corinthians 3x0 Ponte Preta
Tite tried again a new scheme and this time it worked fine. It was about time of a tactical change on Corinthians and Tite was in attempt to. But it’s also to be considerate Ponte played weak and didn’t bring any danger at all.

Internacional 1x0 Sport
Internacional did nothing more than the average (if it even deserve to be labeled as high as average). But they had luck Sport played way worse and gave the reds the victory in an own goal or else it would the most boring 0x0 of the round.

Atlético MG 0x3 Grêmio
Grêmio played very well. The best team performance of the round. Atlético was with a mixed team and it seemed to be an issue to them but nothing that takes the merits of the great game of Grêmio.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Voltage, why isn't Miler Bolanos playing for Gremio? Saw a bit of the game last night and he wasn't playing again.

 

[voltage]

Bolaños travelled to join Ecuador to Copa América that's why he didn't play against Atlético. The other matches were just decision of the coach.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Right, feel stupid for that.

I ask because I didn't see him play very much in the Libertadores. Has he played much at all in other matches?

 

[voltage]

At March he had a surgery in the jaw I think and he got out of most part of Libertadores because of it. But he played at Brazilian championship though still not full time yet. It seems he was still adapting again after the time he got out because of the surgery but he's fully recovered.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Ah ok that makes sense.

Bolanos is a brilliant player so I didn't know why he wasn't playing much.

 

[voltage]

4th round

Cruzeiro 1x1 América MG
América doesn’t know what is to lose to the “mineiro” rival this year. But still any of them collected a win at Brasileirão. Victor Rangel opened the score to América but Arrascaeta got the tie to Cruzeiro. With the rivalry on edge there was a lot of confusion because of the lack of fair play of Cruzeiro due to the coach decision what resulted in the expulsion of both coaches.

Atlético-PR 2x1 Figueirense
First win of Atlético-PR in the competition and they fought a lot to keep it because Figueirense fought back strongly at second half. Highlights to Figueirense’s goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez who saved too much.

Chapecoense 1x1 Santa Cruz
A slip of Santa Cruz but still no defeats until here. Grafite tried but couldn’t repeat his decisiveness in this match anyway nothing that can take his bright yet. Santa was even keeping the victory but Chapecoense played very insistent to get the goal and thus it was.

Ponte Preta 1x2 Flamengo
Ponte started pressing more and with an organizated attack got the lead in the score but as Flamengo got to the adversaries’ goal area in an own goal they tied. Still in the first half Jorge in a beautiful kick scored to put Flamengo in the lead. Second half was more about keeping the result wisely as Flamengo was with one less player but they avoided Ponte as they could, mainly with good Muralha’s saves.

Sport 0x2 Corinthians
The first half was full of pass mistakes from Corinthians but nothing Sport was able to convert in advantage despite them doing better until it. But second half improved to Corinthians and with more dangerous as time elapsed they got the win.

Vitória 1x1 Atlético MG
Balanced match. Both had good chances to get the victory but missed it. And Kieza again scored. This guy is doing really good at Vitória until now.

Fluminense 1x0 Botafogo
Fluminense played better and despite Botafogo not being a danger, Flu had some difficult to reach the nets, what only happened with Fred’s decisiveness in a fail of Botafogo’s defence.

São Paulo 1x0 Palmeiras
Palmeiras keeps obeying their sin function performances. We, São Paulo stans, appreciate. Palmeiras had good starts at each half but São Paulo soon got to play better and (maybe because of playing home) I saw more confidence in the team to create and infiltrate the adversarie’s area. Now São Paulo has to take this spirit to away matches too.

Santos 0x1 Internacional
Santos is without their best players and Inter’s doing one of the best campaigns in this start of championship. Internacional could easily win it with more goals but missed many chances. Though when Santos tried to put pressure Inter could control the game very well and keep the result.

Grêmio 2x0 Coritiba
Grêmio achieved the leadership on the table and I have to say it’s very deserved considering what they’re showing at Brasileirão. Once more an amazing performance with no chances to the adversaries.

 

[voltage]

5th round

Internacional 1x0 Atlético-PR
Not much to talk about this. Both teams in complete opposite moments in the championship and the match and favorable score to Inter expressed it.

Corinthians 1x0 Santos
Santos played very retreated and that was the chance to Corinthians keep pressing in the attack. Despite the little advantage in score Corinthians had many goal chances.

Coritiba 3x4 Chapecoense
Bruno Rangel’s night. The guy scored three goals. The match, as can be seen, was very electrifying.

Santa Cruz 0x1 Sport
Sport played well and nicely kept this win reaching their first victory at Brasileirão and ending the invincibility of 18 games of Santa Cruz that played really different of what they’re being.

Botafogo 0x1 Cruzeiro
Not much to comment too. Both teams weren’t in a good phase but Cruzeiro played undoubtedly better than Botafogo. Incontestable win.

Atlético-MG 1x1 Fluminense
Atlético got the lead first but Fluminense played better at least the whole first half. At second half Flu had a decline but still got the better chance to win the match.

Figueirense 1x0 São Paulo
Figueirense started really offensive and that’s when the goal came with the great Rafael Moura (I seriously don’t understand why Internacional sold him). But after this first ten minutes nothing that good came from either team. São Paulo was kinda lost with the scheme as Bauza tried some changes because of some key players (Maicon, Calleri, Rodrigo Caio, Hudson, Michel Bastos) missing but not worked. Anyway he has to think about this factor carefully because we tend to miss more players in the future (not certain if Maicon and Calleri will stay, Maicon wants to but Calleri is almost sure to leave to Europe) and in an immediate instance Ganso who is being our most important player travelled after this match to join the NT for Copa América.

América-MG 1x2 Ponte Preta
Ponte played better and with more attittude at first half. América had a little improvement at second half but stopped at Ponte’s defense.

Flamengo 1x0 Vitória
Vizeu, Guerrero’s replacer, scored again and helped Flamengo in one more victory that put them at G4. If he keeps like this Guerrero will have to take care with his position when he’s come back (but probably the attack duo will turn in Vizeu-Guerrero instead).

Palmeiras 4x3 Grêmio
Best match of the round. A lot of goals and turn outs. Individual bright of some players like Giuliano, Gabriel Jesus and Roger Guedes. Palmeiras is unpredictable. It’s hard to believe the same team who won a game like this of this very good Grêmio is the same team of the last round defeat.

 

[voltage]

6th round

Atlético-PR 1x0 Santa Cruz
It seems Santa Cruz’s Leicester and Grafite’s Vardy moments are gone. Santa played very defensive and was just trying something with counterattacks. On the other hand Atlético was very insistent offensively and in a beautiful kick from Deivid the insistence was recompensed with the win.

Corinthians 2x1 Coritiba
Corinthians seems to be fixing itself and this will possibly lead them as strong candidates for the title again. Of course still not the great team of last year but they’re being efficient and working to improve.

Chapecoense 0x0 Fluminense
All I can say is: zzzZZZzzzZZZzzz. Very boring and ugly game to see. Many mistakes, no good chances at all, no emotion.

Santos 3x0 Botafogo
Santos really suffers with Brazilian championship ridiculous May-December calendar in time of international competitions ‘cause they almost always get scammed by the national team. But against Botafogo the miss of many important players wasn’t an issue as they were superior the whole time. Highlights to Vitor Bueno.

América-MG 1x0 Figueirense
Figueirense is another team to join the rollercoaster club. Very oscillating. América fought a lot and despite not playing awesomely could get a deserved thin victory.

Vitória 1x0 Internacional
This was a surprise. Vitória wasn’t doing that good (relegation zone) while Inter was figuring at top 4. But Inter had many defensive mistakes and Vitória just got advantage of it.

Flamengo 1x2 Palmeiras
Despite many polemics that made this game very conturbed both teams were like the same level. But César Martins was an issue to Flamengo as the two Palmeiras’ goal can somehow be attributed to his fault.

Grêmio 1x0 Ponte Preta
Another very good game from Grêmio. Though I thought with the quality they’re showing this could be an easier win but it wasn’t. Despite Grêmio was best all the time and creating one chance after another it was hard to pull the ball into the nets. Anyway by the way they played the victory was very deserved and it came at 49 of second half with a beautiful kick from Luan. Hard but deserved win and great performance again from Grêmio.

Sport 4x4 Atlético-MG
Atlético on the end of first half was winning of 4x2. It seemed nothing could take off an easy victory from them but Sport showed a very strong power of reaction that gave them the tie.

Cruzeiro 0x1 São Paulo
Good first half from São Paulo. Despite Cruzeiro’s ball possession São Paulo was the one controlling the match. Cruzeiro couldn’t advance in the field and Ytalo used well the opportunity to score for us. Cruzeiro improved the positioning at second half but still nothing that dangerous. São Paulo on the other hand created many good chances to expand the score but missed when ending the ball.

 

[voltage]

7th round

Internacional 3x1 América-MG
Five initial minutes of game and Inter was already with two goals of advantage. As much as it seemed to be easy and full of goals for them after that moment América grow a lot and brought many difficulties. But Inter kept this important win that puts them in the leadership.

Ponte Preta 2x1 Chapecoense
Balanced match with not many emotions. But Ponte dropped the only unbeaten one.

Fluminense 1x1 Grêmio
Game marked more by confusions because of refereeing than football. It’s a pity ‘cause Grêmio was coming of a really good sequence.

São Paulo 1x2 Atético-PR
São Paulo controlled the game for the most time but missed a lot of goal shots to the goal post. So on the end of second half Atlético reacted and unfortunately (can’t be impartial with this one, sorry) got the win.

Botafogo 1x1 Vitória
Botafogo was easily keeping the thin victory but had a stupid fail of the defense in the end that resulted in the tie.

Coritiba 3x2 Sport
Bustling game. Many cards but also a good amount of goals that made it maybe not beautiful but very entertaining to watch.

Palmeiras 1x0 Corinthians
First time Palmeiras win a derby since they got the new stadium. Palmeiras wasn’t awesome but Corinthians played poorly.

Atlético-MG 2x3 Cruzeiro
In example of Coritiba versus Sport this game was very bustling in terms of goals and players expulsions with the plus this one is a derby and one of the biggest rivalries of Brazilian football. Great game to watch with a lot emotion. Cruzeiro is bit by bit growing while couldn’t say the same of Atlético.

Figueirense 1x0 Flamengo
Rafael Moura is a beast. Just it.

Santa Cruz 0x2 Santos
Not hard for Santos but it seems almost a miracle they won an away game.

 

[voltage]

8th round

São Paulo 2x0 Vitória
Not an esplendid match but the return of Ganso, R. Caio (Copa América) and Calleri (injured) was crucial for this win.

Chapecoense 3x3 Grêmio
Very disputed and fair result. Both fought a lot until the end and the score expressed it well.

Ponte Preta 3x2 Atlético-PR
Atlético tried but Ponte is showing a change in strategy that is helping them lately.

Botafogo 3x1 América-MG
Bottom of table confrontation. At an inspired night of Sassá with three goals Botafogo did better and left the last place to América in a turn of positions on the table.

Santos 2x0 Sport
Lucas Lima and Gabriel returned from the national team with inspiration. They created a lot of chances to Santos while Sport rarely did it. Santos could’ve done a bigger score but missed on ending the balls.

Santa Cruz 1x0 Figueirense
Figueirense is doing really bad at away games. And with the expulsion of their goalkeeper, Gatito Fernandez, thing only got worse. Santa Cruz tried to attack more though they had a lot of mistakes but still they could do better than Figueira.

Cruzeiro 0x1 Flamengo
Cruzeiro was missing many important players and suffered a lot with air balls from Flamengo (and like this the single goal came).

Coritiba 2x2 Palmeiras
Not satisfactory result for any. Coritiba had many hardships playing at home while Palmeiras missed the away win on the last minutes. Both could’ve effort more.

Internacional 2x0 Atlético-MG
Atlético came very messy so no big difficults to Inter on winning it.

Coritnhians 0x1 Fluminense
First game of Corinthians without Tite. Despite he trained the team until one day later I think the team missed him on the pitch as they seemed kind of desperate and consequently they messed up and got adrift. Not awesome from Fluminense though.

 

[voltage]

9th round

Palmeiras 3x1 Santa Cruz
Many set-pieces from Palmeiras and somehow it worked. Grafite showed up to Santa but nothing enough to beat Palmeiras.

Atlético-PR 1x0 Santos
Santos once more flopping in an away match. That’s way they hardly get good chances of title at consecutive points system championships. Atlético wasn’t good but on 43 min. of second half had the victory a chance in a fail of Santos’defence.

América-MG 2x1 Coritiba
That’s kind of nostalgic with Borges at one side and Kléber on another, two strikes who were very famous when I was younger and both building the game. Kléber opened the score but in three minutes América tied and turned it. Unexpected result though, first time América score more than one goal.

Vitória 1x2 Chapecoense
Many chances created. First half very balanced. Vitória started the second half better but when Maia came things changed to Chapecoense.

Atlético-MG 3x0 Ponte Preta
Ponte still trying the defensive scheme that was working but it was clear when they faced a better team things wouldn’t work that well and no sooner said than done.

Flamengo 2x2 São Paulo
Calleri is being our guy. Scoring in every game since he’s back but unfortunately we’ll have to miss him again because of his childish expulsion for complaining (man, behave we need you). First Flamengo’s goal was actually an own goal really ugly from us but Calleri put us on the lead again. Without him things weren’t even close the same. Flamengo tied again and almost won but incredibly their best player on field missed a last minute penalty.

Corinthians 3x1 Botafogo
Botafogo played much closed and that difficulted Corinthians attack and creations but didn’t stop them of getting a nice win. Since Tite’s gone Cássio got back as first keeper but failed on the goal. It’s understandable he’s an icon of the club (only because he’s the only to remain after the China scam) but the way he’s playing must be considered.

Figueirense 3x2 Internacional
Figueirense fighting to leave the relegation zone and Inter to keep the leadership. It sounds discrepant but the match was pretty head to head. 32 kicks to goal, very good match.

Sport 2x1 Fluminense
Good match. The tie was being very fair but Flu’s defense had an ugly fail in the end allowing Sport’s win.

Grêmio 2x0 Cruzeiro
Easy for Grêmio. Cruzeiro had its chance to score but Arrascaeta missed the penalty.

 

[voltage]

10th round

Palmeiras 2x0 América-MG
Palmeiras is having a good sequence. Now five games with no defeats. Great night for Gabriel Jesus scoring all the goals of the match exactly when Barcelona’s scouts were there to watch him.

Ponte Preta 0x4 Cruzeiro
Cruzeiro is improving from the bad phase. Totally superior to Ponte.

Botafogo 0x0 Figueirense
Botafogo had a million chances to win it and Figueirense the Best goal chance of the match but none could take advantage of it. Many goals missed.

Santa Cruz 0x1 Flamengo
Grafite is surely the guy of Santa Cruz but even with all his effort the team didn’t well and he wasted very good chances too. Flamengo had its midfield practically free and that helped the win in a beautiful goal from Arão.

Fluminense 2x4 Santos
Here we have an example of kick precision missed on many matches of this round. Flu had some chances but Santos’ precision made the difference to bring them the win.

Atlético-MG 2x1 Corinthians
Atlética played better. Corinthians still seems messy without Tite.

Chapecoense 0x0 Atlético-PR
Two days of match because of a suspension. Kind of confusing to have a half at Wednesday and other at Thursday but besides this not many emotions, very balanced game but no clear goal chances.

Grêmio 1x2 Vitória
Very agitated game. Vitória finally came well tactically. Grêmio also played good but the expulsion of a defensive player troubled them a bit and despite they fought a lot until the end the victory didn’t come.

São Paulo 0x0 Sport
Sport blocked very well São Paulo’s midfield and attack. By the way São Paulo’s scheme was formed by a lot of attack players but there’s no way, we suffer a lot without Calleri on this sector.

Coritiba 1x1 Internacional
Both were strong on attack but Inter was more technique and got the lead first. Anyway on the end Coritiba reacted powerfully and tied. Inter even with one more man only held the tie because of good saves of their keeper that wasn’t replaced even hurt because all three replacements were done.

 

[voltage]

11th round

Cruzeiro 2x1 Palmeiras
Bad decisions taken by Cuca for Palmeiras. Fabinho and Luan were horrible. For Cruzeiro the return of Willian, author of the 2 goals, was essential.

Corinthians 2x1 Santa Cruz
Cristovão trying different schemes. It worked but it must be taken in consideration it’s against Santa Cruz. Santa anyway was brave and tried to attack as much as they could and their guy Grafite was able to increase the goal difference.

América-MG 0x1 Atlético-MG
Atlético didn’t play that good but hadn’t hardships to manage the result after scoring early.

Vitória 1x1 Ponte Preta
Very polemic with two no validated goals and penalty saved. Impressive how Kieza is being constant and the striker for Vitória, he wasn’t like that in São Paulo.

Flamengo 1x2 Fluminense
Flamengo started better but an own goal kind of destabilized them. Guerrero tied it but Flu could take advantage of the adversary’s mistakes to win.

Santos 3x0 São Paulo
Santos totally dominated it. We were awful and lost Calleri again for next match because of a yellow card. Denis failed horribly already with not even a minute of game passed. Calleri and Lugano were kind of reckless with their attitudes again so Calleri who was back from an suspension now got another and Lugano red carded. But I can’t complain at all since they were the only players on field who seemed to be worried with the team. It’s just a pity to not have them for the next match.

Internacional 2x3 Botafogo
Big game and surprising. Who would say Botafogo could win this?

Atlético-PR 2x0 Grêmio
Very unusual performance for Grêmio. Atlético was way better and Grêmio only wasn’t worse because of Grohe.

Figueirense 0x0 Coritiba
Man, these players have to learn about sight. Many kicks to goal but nothing close to the target.

Sport 5x1 Chapecoense
Awesome match from Sport. All sums up to it. Very deserved.

 

[voltage]

12th round

Vitória 3x2 Sport
Sport was about to put another incredibly awesome victory but with two players sent out things got easier to Vitória.

Flamengo 1x0 Internacional
Inter slipping off and opening the way to other teams up in the table. Inter tried to pressure in the final minutes but in a whole Flamengo was better.

Grêmio 3x2 Santos
Great match to watch. Grêmio started very well by leading the score but Santos fought to recover the lost ground. Things ended up better for Grêmio but it was a very disputed game.

Coritiba 1x0 Atlético-PR
Kazim, the Turkish guy, in his first performance already was the salvation of Coritiba.

Chapecoense 3x2 Cruzeiro
Another great match here. Very nice turnout from Chapecoense.

São Paulo 2x1 Fluminense
São Paulo had a very good first half. Fluminense improved on the second part but nothing that efficient unless the favorable penalty. But unfortunately Ganso got injured and out of our first match of Libertadores return at least, that’s worrying.

América-MG 0x2 Corinthians
Awful performance from Corinthians despite the win. Curious to see how they’ll manage to play when they get stronger teams because like this won’t work.

Palmeiras 4x0 Figueirense
Palmeiras is keeping the leadership with excellence. Gabriel Jesus is awesome, a boy with a great future if he keeps things together well.

Santa Cruz 0x3 Ponte Preta
Poor Santa facing a really hard time in the championship. While Ponte acting stealthily are each time more distancing of relegation zone.

Atlético-MG 5x3 Botafogo
To close the round with golden key. Maestro Cazares conducted Galo to this amazing victory.

 

[voltage]

13th round

Fluminense 0x0 Coritiba
Coritiba’s goalkeeper was their salvation. Fluminense has to train more (a lot more) goal kicks.

Atlético-PR 1x0 América-MG
It was faded to the tie if it wasn’t a little help from América’s keeper.

Cruzeiro 2x2 Vitória
Cruzeiro kept a good advantage for so long but Vitória with Marinho very inspired reacted and got the tie.

Internacional 0x1 Grêmio
Man, Inter is flopping so hard with Argel. Now he’s being called Argel Fucks makes many sense (and a good joke).

Botafogo 2x1 Santa Cruz
Botafogo started very well but ended up keeping the win with a hard time as Santa almost tied in a strong reaction. At least they’re now out of relegation zone but has to work way more to remain like this.

Corinthians 4x0 Flamengo
Now that’s what I was curious to see. Flamengo is the first “big team” Corinthians faced post Tite and until now they were getting good results with bad playing and this match could be a watershed. They started bad again but at second half they totally moved on and easily got the four goals.

Santos 3x0 Chapecoense
Santos again did very well. This time with a great performance from Copete.

Ponte Preta 1x0 São Paulo
Well, we played with a mixed team because of Libertadores’ return preparation but I think the point here was the bad refereeing that was what really prejudiced us.

Figueirense 1x1 Atlético-MG
Very truncated match with few goal chances. It could’ve been worse.

Sport 1x3 Palmeiras
Palmeiras is on fire. Also is Gabriel Jesus.

 

[JimJams]

Voltage, what say you on Luan Vieira of Gremio?
We want him. Gremio want £20mill and that's for 70% of him sue to his rights.

Best player ever?

 

[voltage]

He's surely one of the most important players of Grêmio and one of the best youngsters of our league nowadays. Premier League is very different though so it depends on how he'll adapt but he's good. He has very nice skills of articulation, recomposition and goal kicking.

 

[voltage]

14th round

Coritiba 0x0 Botafogo
Dropped this on the first 10 minutes, meh. It’s been said a good match but didn’t convince me this much so I can’t tell.

Chapecoense 0x2 Corinthians
Corinthians again started terrible but on the second recovered very well. Now they’re closer to the leader and in a good attempt to be strong title contenders again.

Ponte Preta 2x1 Sport
Ponte is doing surprisingly good – from relegation zone to very close of the G-4 – with Pottker in an amazing phase.

Flamengo 2x0 Atlético-MG
The boy Vizeu was the name of this match. Flamengo just hired Leandro Damião to get paired with Guerrero on the attack but Vizeu deserves it more and for so long now.

Grêmio 2x1 Figueirense
Grêmio always playing nicely of a watch but not efficiently for a tranquil result. They just got the victory on last minutes and have to improve to take the higher positions from Corinthians and Palmeiras.

São Paulo 3x0 América-MG
We’re still saving the first team for Libertadores and that’s always worrying for Brasileirão but América played so poorly.

Santa Cruz 1x0 Internacional
Just fire Argel, Inter. The team that was fighting for the first position after his arrival just declines on the ugliest way possible.

Edit: he’s out.

Vitória 0x0 Fluminense
Flu has a lot to be grateful of Diego Cavalieri, if wasn’t his saves they would be screwed.

Cruzeiro 0x3 Atlético-PR
Cruzeiro’s defense was totally messy and as Atlético fixed better the attack at second half nothing stopped them.

Palmeiras 1x1 Santos
Palmeiras missed some important players but still got the lead on the score first but Santos is also a very good team and showed a nice reaction with many creations that almost gave the victory to them, almost. Despite all the rivalry the tie isn’t a bad result for any since Palmeiras keeps the leadership with gap and Santos got into the G-4. Just feel São Paulo is getting behind ‘cause the other teams from São Paulo (Palmeiras, Corinthians, Santos and even Ponte Preta right now) are doing very well at Brasileirão 2016 while we’re struggling.

 

[Libertadores FC]

How Cristian Cueva doing?

 

[voltage]

Cueva's first game was this weekend and he played very well and already scored. He helped the team a lot in speed and offensive plays. With Calleri's departure he is our new hope now. Still soon to put him in any standard but this first game was very satisfactory.

 

[voltage]

15th round

Botafogo 3x3 Flamengo
Thrilling match. Flamengo was dominating it with 3x1 on the score but Botafogo had an incredible reaction to tie. The big rivalry made effect.

Santos 3x1 Ponte Preta
Santos is very strong at Vila Belmiro and this time wasn’t different. Barcelona and Dortmund’s eyers were there for the boys and they didn’t disappoint. Santos dawned with great structure of young boys since Neymar era and with the transfer window open they’re always a target. The most important boys just came from Copa América and will go to the Olympics now. It’s a pity our calendar is so cruel with the teams.

América-MG 0x3 Santa Cruz
América is doing an awful first turn and to recover is a hard task. Really hard. I mean they have to win as much as possible and still expect for their relegation zone partners to lose their matches but sincerely the way how they’re playing isn’t encouraging of such an extraordinary reaction.

Fluminense 2x0 Cruzeiro
Fluminense had an almost flawless first half. Then in the second half they just managed the win with tranquility and no surprises through the elapse of the game.

Corinthians 1x1 São Paulo
With the lost of Ganso (now to Sevilla) and Calleri (end of contract with Libertadores elimination) it was expected the worse São Paulo but it wasn’t that bad. Cueva very well on his first game and already scored (it’s just unbelievable how the ref punished him just because of his celebration in front of Corinthians bleachers IN A HOME FANS ONLY being considered an insult – like everywhere he would’ve gone would be in front of Corinthians stans so…). Corinthians tied but still was in lack of a reference player and very open what helped us a bit in the end of the game. Anyway the lost of Ganso and Calleri, who were our two best players, is worrying for the rest of the competition.

Atlético-PR 1x1 Vitória
Atlético played better but Vitória has something about reacting on the end.

Figueirense 1x1 Chapecoense
Both have a very similar way of playing so the game was completely balanced. Thumbs up for the beautiful goal of Dener.

Internacional 0x1 Palmeiras
Inter came with more will and more fresh in this first game post Argel. They pressed Palmeiras a lot still not enough to avoid the defeat but also an improvement of their previous decline.

Sport 4x2 Grêmio
Beautiful football from both. Sport got the lead first but Grêmio tied beautifully. Though Sport captured well the weakness of Grêmio in air balls and completed this nice win.

Atlético-MG 2x1 Coritiba
Good night of Robinho to bring the victory for Galo.

 

[voltage]

16th round

Corinthians 1x1 Figueirense
Corinthians is far from being the same team as with Tite but he left an organized team that stumbles but doesn’t fall. Figueirense opened the score with beautiful goal from Dodô and managed the victory well until 38 minutes of second half when Corinthians tied in other words again only showed some pressure on the despair of the end of the match.

Santa Cruz 0x1 Coritiba
Coritiba played very well structured. They blocked Santa well and expected wisely the good opportunities to attempt to win and it worked.

Ponte Preta 2x2 Internacional
Both teams played hard but Ponte was prevailing thus by the score as by the confusing refreeing. Despite everything Inter escaped with the tie on the last minutes.

Palmeiras 0x1 Atlético-MG
It isn’t a secret Palmeiras is doing pretty fine on the championship with a great job from Cuca. But missing the main players to the Olympics is a thing and compromised the team. Now Cuca will have to find a way to fix this team without the key players to keep the club’s excellent phase in leadership.

Cruzeiro 1x2 Sport
Cruzeiro even created a good amount of chances but ended missing the most while Sport was very objective. Sport is rising from the ashes and being a very nice team to watch. Also Rogério who used to play for São Paulo by few weeks ago never played that good here as in Sport, a surprise.

Grêmio 1x0 São Paulo
São Paulo is being a very apathetic team this season even more to dispute consecutive points. Bauza built the scheme excessively defensive and this is not the best solution since our back sector is kind of confuse mainly because of Mena who isn’t that fast to keep on track of the adversaries on attack. On the other hand Denis who is also a worry for us this time was our salvation to don’t lose by more goals of difference. Anyway I couldn’t see almost nothing offensive from São Paulo the whole time while Grêmio playing very fine and kicking the ball to the goal each minute. I heard about Bauza being linked to be Argentina’s new coach, so please Argentina take him.

Atlético-PR 1x0 Fluminense
Atlético is very strong at home and Fluminense lives a moment of big oscillation, this simple.

Chapecoense 2x1 Botafogo
The match was kind of tepid but Caio Júnior had a very smart vision of it and made decisive replacements that got Chape’s the win.

Vitória 2x3 Santos
Santos is another team very prejudiced with the lost of players for the Olympics but with the big basis of good boys they didn’t suffer that much. Yes, Vitória put them in hardships through the game but they overcame it nicely.

Flamengo 2x1 América-MG
Despite not a good beginning Flamengo then started the second half very consistent. Guerrero showed up to put them in the lead but after that their production fell again and América tried a reaction by taking advantage of the situation but no efficiency at all.