Regardless of the results of this Tuesday’s (25th) matches between Atlético-MG x Flamengo and Grêmio x Palmeiras, which could give Flamengo the Brasileirão title, there is no favorite in Saturday’s game (29th), the Libertadores final, between Flamengo and Palmeiras. The Rio team is currently better, but it is the final of another competition.
During the Brasileirão, Flamengo and Palmeiras alternated the quality of their performances. They received criticism and praise. The same happened with all teams, with the exception of Mirassol. Whatever the final result of the two competitions, the coaches deserve praise, even considering that they are the two teams with the best squads in Brazilian football.
In a balanced, long championship with straight points like the Brasileirão, teams can sometimes have a sequence of victories and another of defeats, as happens with Vasco, even without changing strategies and lineups. The victories are very close to the defeats. A mistake, a lost ball, a referee’s error, a sore elbow and so many other details change the story of a game.
Cruzeiro, third placed, is already qualified for the Libertadores. The campaign is better than expected at the start of the competition. The team had good times and bad times. He played very well and had much better results against big opponents. Cruzeiro had a wonderful performance in the 3 x 0 victory over Corinthians. Young Arroyo, recently hired, improved the team’s quality.
The enormous superiority does not mean that this will be repeated in the two matches for the Copa do Brasil. Corinthians are strong at home, they will probably face Memphis and will use different strategies in the two games. There is no favorite.
Mirassol, fourth placed, is also already qualified for the Libertadores. When the Brasileirão started, it was considered a strong candidate for relegation. “Many things have no explanation, they have existence” (Fernando Pessoa).
Fluminense, Botafogo and Bahia are almost certain in the Libertadores. There are not two Libertadores, one that starts in the group stage and the other called pre-Libertadores. The difference is only in the number of games. The three teams had a greater number of good moments than bad moments in the Brasileirão, unlike other major Brazilian clubs. Some are still at risk of being relegated, like Santos and Inter.
Brazilian football, whose championship is called by many the most balanced in the world, should, instead of valuing team balance so much, join efforts to improve the quality of matches, pitches, referees and the calendar. Next year, the Brasileirão will start in January and will be longer. The state ones will be shorter. These are positive changes.
Brazilian clubs, euphoric with so much money raised from investors and sponsors, especially from betting houses, which harm Brazilian citizens, should invest better in signing and training players. A lot of money is wasted on very expensive athletes who no longer have the quality they once had. The world moves forward.
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