More than 70% ball possession and almost 30 shots were not enough for Palmeiras to overcome Guarani this Sunday, at Arena Crefisa, in the eighth and final round of the initial phase of the Campeonato Paulista. The 1-1 draw left the Palestine club in second place in the table, with 16 points. The opponent in the next phase will be Capivariano. The Campinas team only scored 12 points and is eliminated.
With no commitments in the middle of the week, Palmeiras awaits the definition of the São Paulo Football Federation and the broadcasters holding the broadcasting rights to know when they will face Capivariano in the quarter-finals of the State. The Guarani lives in the same scenario.
Palmeiras played a game with a lot of movement, but little effectiveness. It wasn’t a lucky night for Vitor Roque. The number 9 was stopped by defenders, goalkeeper and post. Flaco López still managed to leave his. A disappointing performance given the latest performances. However, the offensive momentum and dissatisfaction with the result must be valued.
With little game time, Guarani found themselves in front of the marker. After Flaco López lost possession of the ball in the defense field, Carlos Miguel sent two shots from outside the area. In the last one, he released it at the feet of Lucca, who had the peace of mind to find the net, in the 6th minute.
The adverse score made Palmeiras accelerate the pace. Some moves were created, but anxiety played against the home team. Emi Martínez and Ramón Sosa brought danger to the Bugrina goal.
Palmeiras dominated the rest of the first half, showed intensity, but failed to finish, which meant the score remained in favor of Guarani.
After the break, Palmeiras continued to improve, but invested in many crosses into the area, both aerially and low. The ball insisted on not going in.
Dissatisfied with the result, assistant João Martins, who had mixed starters and reserves in the starting 11, placed athletes on the field who are commonly starters, such as Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Allan and Piquerez.
Palmeiras remained in the attacking field constantly. The idea was to suffocate the Guarani. The last attempt was to remove full-back Giay to add another attacking player: Felipe Anderson, recovered from injury.
Bruno Fuchs found an incredible pass by elevation, towards Ramón Sosa, who headed in from the left side of the penalty area. The ball reached Flaco López, who filled the Campinas team’s net, in the 32nd minute.
Shortly afterwards, Caíque França, even without meaning to, prevented a goal from Vitor Roque, who was in the small area ready to score the goal. In extra time, the number 9 hit a header against the post after a pass from Felipe Anderson.
In the final minutes, tension took over after the news of a goal from Capivariano, which went on to eliminate Guarani. The Campinas team went on the attack in desperation, which is a recipe for failure.
The nervousness reached the bench. Coaches João Martins and Matheus Costa argued heavily and ended up being expelled.
*Estadão Content
