SPORT BRETÃO
Percival Maricato
THE BANDITS OF THE ARGENTINE SELECTION
Certain underdeveloped countries have historical relapses. Many players from the Argentine selection, at the end of the Copa América, celebrated their victory with racist chants. We often talk about Neymar, but the phenomenon is the same, affecting blacks and whites: poor, in everything, especially in decency, certain individuals become rich and famous and think they have the right to spew their inner trash through their mouths. Even more so now that there is a buffoon in the presidency of Argentina. This supported the demonstration of insanity by firing the only government official who had the sense to condemn the act. The vice-president, with the same DNA, said that colonialist countries will not give lessons to Argentina (????). The country is sliding into the abyss and it’s not hard to imagine that ignorance and fanaticism (is there a difference?) will lead it to a new catastrophe. Or maybe the world’s rejection will stimulate the healthy side of the country to react. In the end, what could be a consecration of a selection, of a country, becomes a vomit, rejected by most of the planet, which still chooses civilization.
Mengo wins with a unique move in the history of world football
Coincidence or luck? Mengo, once again, won a game at 44 minutes of the second half and by a happy accident. This time against Criciúma, 2 x 1. The winning goal of Mengo was scored from a penalty by Gabigol at the end of the second half, in a unique move in the world of football: the game was tied when the crowd threw a ball into the field, in the area of Criciúma; Barreto, the defender of that team, kicked that ball against the one that was in play, which was in the hands of Cebolinha, the attacker of the Rio team; they collided, the referee marked a penalty for Mengo. Gabigol scored and it’s worth noting again the importance of stupidity in sports decisions.
A game worthy of Europeans
The best teams in the Brazilian league are getting better as the championship develops. The game Botafogo 1 x 0 Palmeiras was on par with a Barcelona x Real Madrid or Liverpool x Manchester City. There were opportunities for both sides, little nonsense on the field, no violence, no stoppages. Both teams played very well, passing quickly from defense to attack, a lot of dedication and technique. It would be great for football if the other games were like this. And it also showed that the best football so far is that of Fogão. If it weren’t for the instability and irresponsibility of the “owner” of the team, John Textor, he would be the team most likely to win the title. But it can happen like last year, Fogão was miles ahead and then started losing games and missing the trophy.
Tiago Silva and Felipe Coutinho, let’s hope they do well
These two stars returned to Brazilian football and made their debut at the weekend. Tiago in Fluminense, which finally won a game, and Coutinho in Vasco, which lost after several consecutive wins. This repatriation of star players seems to be a trend. And as those who were once kings don’t always lose all their majesty, the Brazilians will take advantage of some typical moves by stars, even if they’re from the past.
The Brazilian league, from the top
In the Brazilian league table, Fogão is leading, followed closely by Verdão and Flamengo, with Fortaleza and São Paulo just behind. If there are no earthquakes, the title will be between the top three. From Fogão to Tricolor do Morumbi, there are eight points of difference. Fortaleza deserves all the praise, a vibrant team, honoring the Northeast where Bahia also does well, but the shirt, at least for now, weighs heavily in these national disputes. Mengo is disputing whether luck will continue to help it or the team will start playing better. Star players don’t lack. São Paulo is the dangerous outsider, running from behind.
From the bottom
Timão won away, showing a lot of heart. It left the relegation zone, but several teams below it have a game less, Grêmio and Criciúma have two games left to equal Timão’s number of games. On the other hand, Fluminense, whose decline seemed inevitable, showed a reaction at the weekend. Good for Timão to win the next game so that the fans can sleep a little better at night.
Table, games played, next round
18th round
Grêmio | 2 | X | 0 | Vitória |
Atlético-MG | 2 | X | 0 | Vasco |
Bahia | 0 | X | 1 | Corinthians |
Flamengo | 2 | X | 1 | Criciúma |
Botafogo | 1 | X | 0 | Internacional |
Palmeiras | 2 | X | 0 | Cruzeiro |
Bragantino | X | Athletico-PR | ||
Fortaleza | X | Atlético-GO | ||
Cuiabá | X | Fluminense | ||
Juventude | X | São Paulo |
Classification | PG | |
1º | Botafogo | 39 |
2º | Palmeiras | 36 |
3º | Flamengo | 34 |
4º | São Paulo | 30 |
5º | Bahia | 30 |
6º | Cruzeiro | 29 |
7º | Fortaleza | 29 |
8º | Athletico-PR | 25 |
9º | Atlético-MG | 25 |
10º | Vasco | 23 |
11º | Bragantino | 22 |
12º | Juventude | 20 |
13º | Internacional | 19 |
14º | Corinthians | 18 |
15º | Criciúma | 17 |
16º | Cuiabá | 17 |
17º | Vitória | 15 |
18º | Grêmio | 14 |
19º | Atlético-GO | 11 |
20º | Fluminense | 8 |
Next games
19th round
Internacional | X | Fortaleza | ||
Cruzeiro | X | Juventude | ||
Vitória | X | Flamengo | ||
Fluminense | X | Palmeiras | ||
Vasco | X | Cuiabá | ||
Corinthians | X | Grêmio | ||
São Paulo | X | Botafogo | ||
Athletico-PR | X | Atlético-MG | ||
Atlético-GO | X | Bahia | ||
Criciúma | X | Bragantino |