Palmeiras did not depend only on themselves to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Paulista Championship. In addition to beating Mirassol away from home, he needed a stumble from Ponte Preta against Red Bull Bragantino, in Campinas (SP), this Sunday (23).
The homework and the fans worked: with the 3-2 win from Alviverde and the 2-0 for Bragantino at Moisés Lucarelli Stadium, Abel Ferreira’s team reached 23 points and secured the spot in the knockout against São Bernardo, who will be the principal of the match.
Also in the quarterfinals, Corinthians takes Mirassol in Itaquera and, having the best campaign so far, 27 points, will have the advantage of deciding at home if advanced to semi and the final. In the other clashes, Santos faces Bragantino, in Vila Belmiro, and São Paulo receives Novorizontino at Morumbis.
It is the first time since 2020 that the four big ones advance to the knockout phase. In 2021, 2022 and 2023, Santos stayed out; Last year, Corinthians was eliminated in a round in advance.
Inter de Limeira and Água Santa, both with seven points, made the worst campaigns of the competition and were demoted.
The suffocation for the Palmeiras classification took place in a crowded group D, which ended with three teams totaling more than 20 points – São Bernardo had 23, and Ponte Preta ended 22. In the other groups, except Corinthians, none team reached this score; Who came close was São Paulo, with 19.
The round began with the alviverde team two points behind the bridge, which is why he would be eliminated if he did not win Mirassol at José Maria de Campos Maia Stadium in Mirassol (SP).
The interior team, which came from three straight losses and had coach Eduardo Baroque fired on Friday (21), entered the match better. But at 33 minutes Palmeiras scored in a play of Stephen and Raphael Veiga, which ended with Flaco López enjoying the rebound.
At 43, Iury Castilho tied to Mirassol, who still had a ball in the crossbar in additions.
At the beginning of the second half, Veiga hit the first time after a corner kick and replaced Palmeiras in front of the scoreboard. Also on the set ball, Leo Gamalho returned to match the marker when climbing alone in the area and headed in the left corner of Weverton, 35 minutes.
Without Stephen and Flaco López, replaced at 21 and 29, respectively, it was up to the boys Luighi, Vanderlan and Allan the play that culminated in the winning goal. Allan headed at 41.
“To thank Abel for the opportunity. We have been working hard and know what has to be done. Today is relaxing and celebrating, and tomorrow the focus is already on Wednesdays,” said the midfielder 20 years after the match.
In Campinas, Bragantino opened the scoring in the first minute of the game, kicked by Jhon Jhon that deflected in the defender. The second was a penalty at 30, beaten by midfielder Lucas Evangelista.
The Palestra Italia Club now goes in search of the four -time consecutive championship in the tournament. With 11 titles of national and international competitions accumulated in the last five years, the team led by Abel Ferreira has faced greater pressure from the fans since the end of last year.
Demand is mainly for more reinforcements and agility in the market, as the team has suffered successive casualties for injuries to important players, such as striker Maurício, who underwent shoulder surgery last week, and left-back Piquerez, embezzled in this Sunday after muscle injury in the thigh.
On the other hand, President Leila Pereira said she follows in negotiations for more reinforcements. So far, five signings have been announced for 2025: defenders Bruno Fuchs and Micael, released on Saturday (22), midfielder Emiliano Martínez and strikers Paulinho and Facundo Torres.
The Uruguayans Martínez and Torres already make up the starting lineup. Coming from Atletico-MG, Paulinho still recovers from a leg fracture.
Paulista’s quarterfinals are scheduled to take place next weekend, on days and times to confirm.
