New Champion in São Paulo?

By: Bruno Romani | March 16th, 2008

Wanderley Luxemburgo - Palmeiras

Palmeiras destroyed São Paulo this afternoon. The 4-1 is a signal. It smells like a new champion is emerging. Both clubs have the best players and the best coaches in São Paulo. Both clubs played equally the match. São Paulo was a little bit better until the end of the first-half and scored first through Adriano, who was, according to Wanderley Luxemburgo, the best man on the pitch. Palmeiras tied a few minutes later through forward Kléber who scored for the first time against his ex-club. And then Palmeiras started to play better until the 25th mark of the second-half, when São Paulo woke up again. But Palmeiras was the one who scored. Like the true champions, quality, heart and strength are not enough. Some luck is very appreciated. Palmeiras had it all this afternoon.

Junior tackled Valdivia. Foul. Penalty. Denilson decided to take the penalty against the club he once declared was the one he supported. He took it and celebrated the comeback like there was no tomorrow. 2 minutes later, Juninho made another foul. Another penalty. Valdivida took it. 3-1. Lost in the match, São Paulo also lost its head and Richarlysson managed to give Palmeiras the third penalty in the afternoon. Diego Souza nailed it. 4-1! All the penalties existed despite the complaints from São Paulo. If the ref failed in anything, it was not giving Kléber a red card in the first-half.

After the two exciting victories against Bragantino and Ponte Preta, Palmeiras humiliated the only club with a fair shot in the championship. Wanderley Luxemburgo is a specialist when it comes to state leagues as he may be heading to the third title in a row and 8th of his career since 1990. Is the new champion green?

Diego Souza - Palmeiras

Somewhere Else

-Santos 1 – 0 São Caetano. The ref did not give São Caetano a penalty and Santos is very close to the top 4 now, something unthinkable until few weeks ago.

-Corinthians 2 – 2 Juventus. And the timão missed another chance of cementing the second spot in the table.

-Guess what? Guaratinguetá won again and still is the leader. This time the victim was Bragantino 1-0.

Results Around Brazil

-Botafogo got its sweet revenge against Flamengo and won the derby. 3-2.

-Fluminense 2 – 0 Americano. Vasco 4 – 1 Cardoso Moreira.

-Campeonato Gaúcho: Santa Cruz 2 – 3 Grêmio ( I heard it was thrilling). Inter 2 – 0 São José.

-Campeonato Mineiro: Ipatinga, the club who will play série A of the Campeonato Brasileiro shows once again it wants to be big. Today it beat Atlético-MG 1-0.