In the previous column, I praised the coach Leonardo Jardim, from Cruzeiro, but said it was difficult to understand what he said. I was referring to the fact that he speaks low, quickly, and following Portuguese from Portugal. Someone understood badly, as if it were a criticism that the coach would be confused in the team’s formation. One of the great qualities of Leonardo Jardim is serenity and clarity in charge of the team. Cruzeiro and Vasco face each other this Saturday (27) for the Brasileirão.
Abel Ferreira, another clear and lucid coach in strategies, gives classes for years, for those who want to learn, how to organize various ways for the team to play well and win. Their choices are made according to the moment and the qualities and characteristics of the players of their team and the opponents.
In recent years, Palmeiras has acted in many ways, always organized and efficient. Today, the team operates with a duo of attackers through the center and a shipowner on each side-that marks, advancing on the side or center-, as well as two midfielders and a line of four defenders.
Regardless of tactical design, the biggest qualities of Palmeiras are the professional seriousness of the players and the coaching staff and the ability of all to play each match as if it were the last, the title.
Vitor Roque and Flaco López work nearby, through the Center, from the intermediate to the goal. Alternate in the retreat to receive the ball. Both are skilled, fast and good finishers. Flaco López was summoned to the Argentine team. After alternating great and bad times, Vitor Roque seems to have acquired more consistency and regularity, but it is still early to know where he will go.
The victory over River Plate, which secured the classification to the Libertadores semifinals, was another great collective, individual and willingness to win, with the soul overflowing in the field. Palmeiras will face LDU, which eliminated São Paulo, with four of its main players again absent from bruises (Lucas Moura, Oscar, Marcos Antônio and Luiz Gustavo).
Palmeiras and Flamengo have great chances of making the Libertadores final again. Flamengo lost to Estudiantes 1-0, but qualified on penalties and will face the racing. It was another demonstration that the Rio team is very good, but not as much as they say. The team plays with very fixed positions from the middle to the front, which facilitates the marking, even considering the excellent quality of the players.
In the South American Cup, Atletico-MG continues to play badly, but qualified for the semifinals against the very weak Bolivar with a goal at the last minute, thanks to a beautiful long pass and over Scarpa. Anyway, Bernard gave the air of grace to head to the goal. In addition to the collective problems, there was an overvaluation of many, dear, hired by the club.
Fluminense was out of the South American Cup after a draw with Lanús from Argentina. After the match, Renato Gaúcho, widely criticized, even after the great campaign at the Club World Cup, resigned, upset with negative assessments and missing the beach and sand soccer. Football is very pleasant, but life is more important.
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