Verdão now has one point more than Flamengo, vice-leader of the Brazilian Championship; Raposa complains about Gustabo Gómez not being expelled for violent entry
Palmeiras and Cruzeira entered the field this Sunday (26), at Palestra Itália, happy with Flamengo’s defeat to Fortaleza the day before. Verdão could open up three points and two wins over the Rio team, while Raposa dreamed of returning to the fight. The 0-0 draw, however, frustrated both teams, but reflected the tight game and, consequently, tied up in the west zone of São Paulo. There were 41 fouls and only seven shots on target — three from the Alviverdes and four from the Celestials —, few of which were dangerous. Palmeiras now has 62 points, one more than Mengão. Cruzeiro, third placed, is five behind the leader.
The advantage, however, was not as celebrated because the Palmeiras residents know that it could be much greater. Playing at home, the fans were confident of a victory, which would leave Palmeiras with a two-round advantage over Flamengo. On the other hand, the defeat almost didn’t happen, largely due to Carlos Miguel’s good performance. After conceding six goals in two games, he prevented his goal from being missed in defense with a free kick and at the end, in a bit of a fright, when he saved a shot from Kaio Jorge with his foot.
Palmeiras even put the ball in the net with Sosa, but the referee fouled Cássio. The Cruzeiro goalkeeper had his hand on the ball, but the Paraguayan took it from him and pushed it into the net. The rule states that the goalkeeper has control of the ball when: the ball is between his hands or arms or between his hands or arms and any surface — for example, the floor or the goalkeeper’s own body; hold the ball with an open palm; is bouncing the ball off the ground or throwing it into the air.
Cruzeiro complains about Gustavo Gómez not being expelled for violently attacking Wanders0n in the first half. The celestial winger even had to be replaced after the strong tackle, but referee Rafael Klein, invited to go to VAR, didn’t think the play was subject to a red card, even though he reviewed it on the monitor. He gave the Paraguayan a yellow card, much to the displeasure of the Cruzeiro fans. At the end of the game, a Palmeiras fan hit Cássio with a bottle. The club could lose field orders if reported by the STJD Attorney’s Office.
