Have to wonder if Textor's nonsense might have had a detrimental effect on the team. Maybe not, but it's hard to separate anything Botafogo does this week from that.
Better 2nd half but San Lorenzo had the chance to score 2 goals on the counter before Piquerez drew level on a FK. 1 x 1 - FT
Fluminense also salvaged a draw. The narrative tomorrow will probably be the same as today, that this is turning out to be a disappointing week for Brazilian clubs at Libertadores, but honestly, these results are pretty normal. The matches are basically the second-toughest of the group stage (away to the Pot 3 team), some in altitude. The big exception of course is Botafogo who lost 3x1 at home today, and with the added factor of Textor in the news that will be big talk tomorrow.
Abel Ferreira spared several key players, and Palmeiras missed a few very good chances. As you wrote, a draw as a visitor is normal. Fluminense had the bulk of possession against Alianza Lima, so to salvage a point is a fine result. As for Botafogo... back in 2009, another Brazilian team lost 1-3 at home in a group stage match in the Libertadores. Palmeiras was embarrassed by Colo Colo at Parque Antarctica. Yet Palmeiras managed to go unbeaten in its next 4 matches (Palmeiras had lost 3-2 at Liga de Quito in the opener), and in the final match, at Colo Colo, Palmeiras played a compact and tactically flawless match, with a late goal by Cleiton Xavier, to bring 3 points from Santiago, to win the group, and to eliminate Colo Colo. Hopefully Botafogo will get some inspiration from that. They need it. My team kicks off its participation tonight at Talleres. Given Cobresal and Barcelona drew 1-1 yesterday, it'd be a very good thing if SPFC brings back 3 points from Córdoba.
Atlético-MG with a big win, 4x1 away from home, under new coach Gabriel Milito. Best start to the Libertadores so far, with most matches completed. São Paulo's match is still in progress but losing 1x0 at the half. Probably more importantly they were forced to sub Rafinha and Lucas Moura off in the first half, which is rotten luck. Looks like Rafinha was injured on an early play when he fouled an opponent (who also had to come off).
2x1 loss away from home in the end, which isn't a disaster for SP. More relevant is the precariousness of the coaching situation (fans at least seem dissatisfied) and the injuries from today's match if they're long-term.
Was listening to the summary of the São Paulo match and it's even more bizarre than I realized. First Talleres goal came when SP was down one player because they had a third injury near the end of the of the first half and the coach had to gamble on getting to half time because if he subbed then, he would have used up all 3 sub windows before half-time. All things considered, leaving with a 2x1 defeat is far from a disaster. But like I said earlier, the coach is getting a lot of criticism because they're just not playing well, the injuries and the gamble on the substitution are secondary to that.
I almost made a sarcastic comment in the seleção thread because Dorival was reportedly at the Grêmio match. Losing the opening match in altitude is one thing, but losing at home to the Pot 4 team basically means they're on the outside looking in. Sure, they have 12 points still available, but they haven't played Estudiantes yet, the toughest opponent on paper, and they can't afford to lose points to the pot 3 and 4 teams, but one of those remaining matches is away. Fluminense started with an early goal over Colo Colo, but the game is tied at the half. I hope Flu pull out the win so it's not all doom and gloom in the post-match shows.
Fluminense got the win, 2x1. Colo Colo tied them twice, but the second goal was called back for handball. Flamengo, Atlético-MG and São Paulo play tomorrow, Palmeiras and Botafogo have Thursday matches this week.
Brazilian websites were loaded with sarcastic and angry comments about how Renato Portaluppi focused on the state championship over the Libertadores and this has now come back to haunt him. The state tournaments have their importance, but for a team like Grêmio, which historically has put great weight on the Libertadores, this was a bizarre approach indeed, and that Grêmio is in the lanterna with 0 points and 3 goals allowed - and none scored - is a stark contrast to Portaluppi's "I was born to win" comments following the state championship victory over the weekend. I also read that last year's runner-up finish in the Campeonato Brasileiro was deceptive because Grêmio's defense was awful. I looked it up: Grêmio allowed 56 goals in 38 matches, worst only than the 64 allowed by Santos, the 73 allowed by Coritiba, and the 81 allowed by América Mineiro; these three teams were relegated. In other words, even Goiás, which finished in 18th place, had a better defensive record than Grêmio with 53 goals allowed. Compare that to Palmeiras, the 2023 champion, with 33 goals allowed; Atlético Mineiro, with 32 goals allowed; Flamengo, who went through chaos in 2023, with 42 goals allowed; Botafogo, with 37 goals allowed; Red Bull Bragantino, with 35 goals allowed; Fluminense, with 47 goals allowed. SPFC, who reached this year's Libertadores via the Copa do Brasil, allowed 38 goals in the Campeonato Brasileiro. I also read that the near top finish came in large part due to clutch play by Luis Suárez. Grêmio will have to embody the spirit of the 1983 Batalha de La Plata, but only this time it'll have to win, if it is to have any hopes for a deeper run in this tournament. Some fans are already saying Grêmio is the first Brazilian team to be eliminated this year. Fluminense salvaged those 3 precious points at home. The defending champions are definitely showing they're in it again.
Atlético-MG beat Rosario 2x1 to make it 2 wins in 2 matches, best start to the Libertadores for any Brazilian team this year. Wonder if it's the new coach bump or if it's a more long-term trend. São Paulo x Cobresal and Flamengo x Palestino start in 30 minutes.
2x0 win for Flamengo over Palestino. Fans wanted more, but for most of the second half it looked like it would remain 1x0 and there was danger of Palestino scoring. It feels like the team was tired today and Tite should rotate more. April is going to be a brutal month for all teams in Brazil. São Paulo also won. Not sure how the overall match was, but they got two goals in the last 10 minutes to make it 2x0. So all 3 Brazilian teams won today!
SPFC needed that win and it would have been very bad to lose or to draw at home to a team which has not won a single match in 2024.
Abel starting with estevão and luis guilherme. Really strange for him to go away from his "family circle" of players on a Libertadores game.
Palmeiras 3 x 1 Liverpool - FT Went down very early in the game but managed to turn it around and win. In typical fashion, 3 goals from crosses. estevão scored the 3rd on a header. But more importantly, he played well and showed a mature game. Good touches and routinely beat players off the dribble. He is gonna be one to watch. He is 16. Supposedly he wants to go to Barca.
Tem que dar risada pra esse tipo de coisa pra não chorar ... 1778603090624516340 is not a valid tweet id
#32, Francisco Bregante. Dirty play, but his career will never reach the heights Endrick will reach at Real Madrid. Good win for your team I hope Palmeiras wins at Liverpool and by a solid margin after watching that dirty foul.
Flamengo informa que Allan, Léo Pereira, Varela, Ayrton Lucas, Pulgar, Arrascaeta e Pedro estão fora do jogo contra o Bolívar, amanhã, na altitude de La Paz. Allan está fora por conta de traços falcêmicos que podem prejudicar a alta performance em altitude. Léo Pereira está com quadro viral. Já Varela, Ayrton Lucas, Pulgar, Arrascaeta e Pedro foram cortados por planejamento da comissão técnica. Flamengo with quite a few players not making the trip for various different reasons. Pedro is a strange omission.