Flamengo only needed a tie to remain in first, but they lost 2x1. The semi-finals will probably be Fluminense x Volta Redonda, Flamengo x Vasco. Vasco plays tomorrow and can take second place with a win. They could fall to fourth, if they lose, and then Flamengo would get Volta Redonda, but that's immaterial. More pressure on VP for failing to win an important match. And while Flamengo started well, they fizzled out and Fluminense were always good enough to win.
Didn't know this, but this is the first title for Diniz. It's a meh title because there are the playoffs coming. It's like a regular season title. But a title nonetheless.
Yeah, Fluminense won both the regular season and playoffs last year but it was still Abel Braga at the helm.
This weekend was full of upsets in the many state championships. Palmeiras won by a narrow margin yesterday, but Corinthians lost on penalties to Ituano today. Because the Paulista plays single matches in the quarters, Corinthians are out. Bragantino actually had the most comfortable win. São Paulo play tomorrow. In Minas, Cruzeiro lost to América-MG, though that's not really an upset at this stage. But Atlético-MG losing to Athletic Club, that is a big one. The difference is that in Minas the quarters are two-legged matches, so they get a chance to turn things around next week. Similarly in Rio, which goes straight to semi-finals, Volta Redonda opened up with a 2x1 win over Fluminense, but they play again next week. Flamengo x Vasco is tomorrow.
Carioca SF between Fla x Vasco starts pretty lit. 1 x 1 Vasco just scored a 2nd goal but it's offsides and should be called back.
Atlético at least I think were playing a B team from what I've read since the have a Libertadores game coming up. Cruzeiro fans telling R9 to "tomar cajú". Puts out a statement that he is bothered by the reaction but damn ... what did he expect ? Fans don't forgive even their Mother if they were running their team and losing games.
On the one hand, it's not a surprise considering how fans are, especially in Brazil. On the other, there are plenty of people who will tell you that if Ronaldo did not buy that team, they'd be gone already or cease to exist soon. Without Ronaldo there might no be a Cruzeiro today. I did notice Atl-MG had Hulk and a number of others come in later and start on the bench. The Libertadores match is a must-win for them as I'm sure they're counting on the revenue of at least the group stage. Flamengo just turned it around 2x1 with Pedro. The first Flamengo goal was a golaço by Arrascaeta. Let's hope I'm not jinxing the rest of the match by talking too early...
São Paulo just got knocked out on PKs by Água Santa! The only big team in the semis is Palmeiras, the match-ups are: Palmeiras x Ituano Bragantino x Água Santa
Yeah, I just saw the goal, gave the ball right to Pedro, in the 18-yard box. It was even a pass across the box, it was straight forward into his feet...
Agua Santa eliminates São Paulo on PKs. The game was played at the Allianz Parque due to a deal between Palmeiras and SPFC Presidents since Palmeiras played in the Morumbi the other day. There were concerns about security around the area because there are various restaurants and bars that are Palmeiras themed around the stadium. Sejam sempre bem vindos Tricolores ! Principalmente se forem para ser eliminados !!!
So Flamengo have the advantage of a draw now. Fla TV billed the game as a new start, which is good. A positive outlook, throw out the results so far and back the team. And while a win over a rival is a good "start", VP probably still needs to win the Carioca to have any chance of getting the fans on his side, or at least of getting the fans to give him more time. Considering Vasco have a Copa do Brasil match on Thursday, and Flamengo have the whole week to prepare, losing to Vasco would be a disaster under these circumstances, so the pressure remains, despite today's result.
São Paulo: Palmeiras beat Ituano today, Bragantino x Água Santa determine the other finalist tomorrow. Rio: Flamengo beat Vasco today 3x1. Ayrton Lucas has been the biggest positive to come out of this beginning of the season for Flamengo and scored the last goal today. Fluminense destroyed Volta Redonda 7x0 yesterday to overcome the 2x1 loss in the first leg. That's Dinizismo for you. Minas: América beat Cruzeiro again to reach the final. Atlético-MG beat Athletic 1x0, to tie the overall semi 1x1 and move on thanks to their record. All of those finals will be played over 2 legs in the weekends after the international break (Apr 1/2 and 8/9). All of those teams, except Água Santa, also have matches that week for Libertadores or Sulamericana. The big estadual news of the weekend though was Luis Suárez missing a PK and Grêmio losing 2x1 to Ypiranga. The second leg of the semi-final is next weekend, during the international break.
Atlético-MG won 3x2 away with a late Hulk goal. Athletico-PR won away with a late Vitor Roque goal. Flamengo went with a weird line-up and were overrun by Fluminense early, but neither team got great chances. Flamengo scored early in the second-half though, with Ayrton Lucas, easily the player of the amtch and everything changed. He assisted on the second goal (Pedro) and was also the player fouled by Samuel Xavier for a red card. Fluminense under Diniz looked good, but Flamengo was able to not give up easy chances this time and scored. Weird choices by VP, but in the second half he brought on the two most notable missing names (Everton Ribeiro and Gabi) and two veterans. Fluminense still threatened despite having 10 men. It's easy to see why Diniz has so many fans, he's uncompromising in his ways. The São Paulo state final is tomorrow and next week. Palmeiras x Holy water! And since we know Abel Ferreira has a deal with the devil, I'm sure @celito is nervous...
Wasn't expecting that, despite my post... on a positive note for Palmeiras, Endrick scored. And of course, unlike the quarters and semis, it's a two-legged final, so Palmeiras play at home next Sunday. Credit to Água Santa for what they've achieved.
Missed the game. Heard we only really played well for the first 20 mins. Something to worry about but honestly, if an upset happens, I won't be too disappointed. State leagues are really just preparation for the rest of the season.