Botafogo’s Fall (And It Can Get Worse)

By: Bruno Romani | August 19th, 2007

The second half of the Campeonato Brasileiro started today.

After it lost to São Paulo, Botafogo started to go down the hill. Another two teams passed the once favorites. Cruzeiro, with 3 goals by Alecssandro, defeated Fluminense by 4-2 and moved to second. Vasco beat América by 2-0 with two goals by Leandro Amaral and moved to third.

The team from Rio only tied its match with Inter at home by 1-1. And Botafogo better watch out. More clubs are to pass it. Both Santos and Palmeiras won at home. The former killed Sport with a 2-0. The latter defeated Flamengo at home, 2-1. Finally, Grêmio also got a 2-0 against Paraná.

This is not to mention Goiás who tied 0-0 at home with leader São Paulo. Botafogo should watch out.

In the lower half, Naútico and Juventude remained in the relegation zone. The first lost at home against Atlético-MG with an own goal.

The second played against Corinthians an important match for the relegation struggle. Corinthians scored first with only 29 seconds into the match through Finazzi. Juventude tied in a mistake by Corinthians’ keeper. Gustavo Nery, again, put the Timão ahead. Are he and Finazzi going to save Corinthians from relegation? Fábio Baiano tied for Juventude and that was it. 2-2.

In the “I don’t care” zone, Figueirense and Atlético-PR tied 1-1 with a blunder by Figueirense’s Wilson. Atlético remains dangerously close to the relegation zone.

goals: http://video.globo.com/Videos/Player/Esportes/0,,GIM716515-7824-ASSISTA+AOS+GOLS+DA+RODADA+DO+BRASILEIRAO,00.html