Match preview: Brazilian League
Six matches on the eleventh round of the Brazilian Serie A League will be played on Saturday. Three games were played on Thursday (Vasco 1-0 Atletico Paranaense, Parana 1-2 Figueirense and Juventude 1–1 Nautico), while the derby between Flamengo and Fluminense has been postponed till August 16th due to the PanAmerican Games, in Rio de Janeiro.
Here's a preview of Saturday's games:
SPORT-ATLETICO MINEIRO
Sport Recife needs a win to distance itself from the bottom four in the standings. In order to do so, the team must defeat Atletico Mineiro, which also played on Serie B in 2006, alongside Sport. With 11 points, the locals can get past Atletico (13) and move to the middle of the standings with a positive result. Defensive midfielder Ticao will not play for the next 30 days, after breaking his wrist on a training session this week. Defender Gabriel is also out, after being sold to a foreign team. Midfielder Romerito, acquired from Goias, will probably make his debut, but another midfielder, Adriano, is questionable. Coach Zetti will have the return of midfielder Rafael Miranda to Atletico, after he missed the loss against Gremio with an injury. Defender Vinicius, right-back Coelho, midfielder Marcinho and forward Galvao should also join the team. After a good start to the season, the team has faltered of late, having lost twice and tied twice in its last four games.
SANTOS-BOTAFOGO
The league leaders travel to Santos to face the recovering side coached by Wanderley Luxemburgo. After a 4-1 win over Cruzeiro last weekend, Santos tries to build momentum to climb out of the relegation zone. Currently with 11 points, the team is tied with three other teams ahead of it in the standings, losing in goal differential to fall to 17th place. Left-back Kleber is still with the Brazilian team that is playing in the Copa America. Defender Adailton and midfielder Adriano are suspended. The team still awaits word from league officials to see if newly signed forward Kleber Pereira can make his debut. Botafogo did not have a good week, learning that top forward Dodo will be suspended for at least 30 days after failing a doping exam. Defender Alex returns from suspension, with midfielder Diguinho going back to the bench.
GREMIO-PALMEIRAS
Two teams on the rise face each other in Porto Alegre. Coach Mano Menezes still doesn't know if he'll use youngster Carlos Eduardo, who was with the Brazilian Under-20 team, in attack. Ramon and Everton have not played that well up front, and will likely have to battle for a position to determine who will play alongside Carlos Eduardo. Tcheco is still out for the Libertadores runners-up, as the team tries to continue its recovery after a poor start to the tournament. Palmeiras will try to surprise as visitors, but will have to do so without captain Martinez, suspended. Pierre returns to the team, while Edmundo, Alex Afonso, William and Francis remain out recovering from injuries.
CRUZEIRO-GOIAS
Cruzeiro frustrated its fans last week, as it went to Santos and was embarrassed by a 4-1 loss. Coach Dorival Junior, desperate to shake things that have gone wrong recently for his squad, will make four changes. Goalkeeper Fabio returns to the team after a knee injury. Emerson replaces Erick on defense, alongside Thiago Heleno, who takes Mariano's spot. Jonathan is the new right-back, while Leo Silva and Guilherme join the team in midfield. Will these changes work? Only time will tell, but it seems unlikely the team can get any worse. Even if the team doesn't win, Dorival Junior is looking for more stability in defense, after surrendering 22 goals in 10 matches. Second-place Goias will try to take advantage of Cruzeiro's problems. Coach Bonamigo will have a full squad with the return of left-back Diego from injury, and suspended defender Paulo Henrique, defensive midfielder Amaral and forward Welliton. It's not easy to predict how the changes may affect Cruzeiro, but it seems the locals will have a tough time getting past a good Goias side.
AMERICA NATAL-INTERNACIONAL
After surprising Parana last week in Curitiba, America Natal wants to keep its winning ways to start getting out of the bottom of the table. This week the team faces Internacional, which is also struggling and remains dangerously close to the relegation zone. The locals will be without three regulars. Defender Odirley and midfielder Marquinhos are suspended, while fellow midfielder Paulo Isidoro took a leave of absence for his marriage. Inter's situation is even worse, forcing coach Gallo to field a team without nine regular players, among starters and immediate substitutes. Youngster Diego, for instance, will play as right-back after starter Ceara, and substitutes Elder Granja and Jonas had injury problems. Defender Indio is suspended, while his partner Alex is out with muscle pains. The midfield will be without suspended Wellington Monteiro and injured Fernandao. Alexandre Pato, who was with the Brazilian Under-20 team that was eliminated in the second round of the U-20 World Cup this week, will not play either.
CORINTHIANS-SAO PAULO
The traditional derby features the two last Brazilian League champions, whose recent performances are not quite what their fans had seen when they won their titles in 2005 and 2006. Corinthians is amidst a long crisis due to its failed partnership with investment fund MSI and investigation by the authorities. On the field the team has also been struggling, as new coach Carpegiani tries to give the team some consistency. In its last four games, the team has lost twice and tied another two times. Sao Paulo seems to have never really managed to get things going this year, despite still holding on to third place in the standings. They are still the favourites due to the crisis on their opponent's side and their ongoing streak against Corinthians, having not lost in 12 games, since 2003. The team has been having trouble scoring (only 8 goals in 10 matches) but also has been solid on defence, having allowed just 2 goals in 10 games. Will this be another low scoring game? Josue and Alex Dias are still with the Brazilian National team, while Jorge Wagner is questionable for the game.
Here's a preview of Saturday's games:
SPORT-ATLETICO MINEIRO
Sport Recife needs a win to distance itself from the bottom four in the standings. In order to do so, the team must defeat Atletico Mineiro, which also played on Serie B in 2006, alongside Sport. With 11 points, the locals can get past Atletico (13) and move to the middle of the standings with a positive result. Defensive midfielder Ticao will not play for the next 30 days, after breaking his wrist on a training session this week. Defender Gabriel is also out, after being sold to a foreign team. Midfielder Romerito, acquired from Goias, will probably make his debut, but another midfielder, Adriano, is questionable. Coach Zetti will have the return of midfielder Rafael Miranda to Atletico, after he missed the loss against Gremio with an injury. Defender Vinicius, right-back Coelho, midfielder Marcinho and forward Galvao should also join the team. After a good start to the season, the team has faltered of late, having lost twice and tied twice in its last four games.
SANTOS-BOTAFOGO
The league leaders travel to Santos to face the recovering side coached by Wanderley Luxemburgo. After a 4-1 win over Cruzeiro last weekend, Santos tries to build momentum to climb out of the relegation zone. Currently with 11 points, the team is tied with three other teams ahead of it in the standings, losing in goal differential to fall to 17th place. Left-back Kleber is still with the Brazilian team that is playing in the Copa America. Defender Adailton and midfielder Adriano are suspended. The team still awaits word from league officials to see if newly signed forward Kleber Pereira can make his debut. Botafogo did not have a good week, learning that top forward Dodo will be suspended for at least 30 days after failing a doping exam. Defender Alex returns from suspension, with midfielder Diguinho going back to the bench.
GREMIO-PALMEIRAS
Two teams on the rise face each other in Porto Alegre. Coach Mano Menezes still doesn't know if he'll use youngster Carlos Eduardo, who was with the Brazilian Under-20 team, in attack. Ramon and Everton have not played that well up front, and will likely have to battle for a position to determine who will play alongside Carlos Eduardo. Tcheco is still out for the Libertadores runners-up, as the team tries to continue its recovery after a poor start to the tournament. Palmeiras will try to surprise as visitors, but will have to do so without captain Martinez, suspended. Pierre returns to the team, while Edmundo, Alex Afonso, William and Francis remain out recovering from injuries.
CRUZEIRO-GOIAS
Cruzeiro frustrated its fans last week, as it went to Santos and was embarrassed by a 4-1 loss. Coach Dorival Junior, desperate to shake things that have gone wrong recently for his squad, will make four changes. Goalkeeper Fabio returns to the team after a knee injury. Emerson replaces Erick on defense, alongside Thiago Heleno, who takes Mariano's spot. Jonathan is the new right-back, while Leo Silva and Guilherme join the team in midfield. Will these changes work? Only time will tell, but it seems unlikely the team can get any worse. Even if the team doesn't win, Dorival Junior is looking for more stability in defense, after surrendering 22 goals in 10 matches. Second-place Goias will try to take advantage of Cruzeiro's problems. Coach Bonamigo will have a full squad with the return of left-back Diego from injury, and suspended defender Paulo Henrique, defensive midfielder Amaral and forward Welliton. It's not easy to predict how the changes may affect Cruzeiro, but it seems the locals will have a tough time getting past a good Goias side.
AMERICA NATAL-INTERNACIONAL
After surprising Parana last week in Curitiba, America Natal wants to keep its winning ways to start getting out of the bottom of the table. This week the team faces Internacional, which is also struggling and remains dangerously close to the relegation zone. The locals will be without three regulars. Defender Odirley and midfielder Marquinhos are suspended, while fellow midfielder Paulo Isidoro took a leave of absence for his marriage. Inter's situation is even worse, forcing coach Gallo to field a team without nine regular players, among starters and immediate substitutes. Youngster Diego, for instance, will play as right-back after starter Ceara, and substitutes Elder Granja and Jonas had injury problems. Defender Indio is suspended, while his partner Alex is out with muscle pains. The midfield will be without suspended Wellington Monteiro and injured Fernandao. Alexandre Pato, who was with the Brazilian Under-20 team that was eliminated in the second round of the U-20 World Cup this week, will not play either.
CORINTHIANS-SAO PAULO
The traditional derby features the two last Brazilian League champions, whose recent performances are not quite what their fans had seen when they won their titles in 2005 and 2006. Corinthians is amidst a long crisis due to its failed partnership with investment fund MSI and investigation by the authorities. On the field the team has also been struggling, as new coach Carpegiani tries to give the team some consistency. In its last four games, the team has lost twice and tied another two times. Sao Paulo seems to have never really managed to get things going this year, despite still holding on to third place in the standings. They are still the favourites due to the crisis on their opponent's side and their ongoing streak against Corinthians, having not lost in 12 games, since 2003. The team has been having trouble scoring (only 8 goals in 10 matches) but also has been solid on defence, having allowed just 2 goals in 10 games. Will this be another low scoring game? Josue and Alex Dias are still with the Brazilian National team, while Jorge Wagner is questionable for the game.
Labels: Brazilian League, Match preview
posted by fejas @ 10:45 AM
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