Opinion – PVC: Classic between Corinthians and São Paulo had ‘chameleon teams’ and decisive youth

Rogério Ceni trained the team with three defenders in recent weeks and this news did not reach Corinthians coach Vítor Pereira. Even so, the decision of the Portuguese coach was to adopt the same tactical system and start the classic with three defenders.

I wanted to explore the sides. He was surprised by Rogério’s decision to form a line of five.

The São Paulo advantage in the first half, which gave the illusion of their first victory at Neo Química Arena, was not due to defensive security, but to the quality and strength of the midfield. Irreproachable performance by Rodrigo Nestor, a player who strengthens himself with each new lineup and is able to guide, organize and attack with the wisdom of the experienced, despite his 21 years.

São Paulo needs to put more than R$100 million in player sales in its coffers, but refused Botafogo’s offer in January to sell Rodrigo Nestor. Nor did he accept a proposal from Dallas, from the United States, for Gabriel Sara.

As much as he has hired, the good work of Rogério Ceni’s team is due to the quality of its youngsters. São Paulo felt the replacement of Rodrigo Nestor by Gabriel Neves very much. The tricolor team retreated, and Corinthians had good changes made by Vítor Pereira, who seemed to read Rogério’s thoughts.

To the system of three defenders, he responded with his team mounted the same. Rogério also reacted to Vítor Pereira’s change, by giving up the third defender and reinforcing the left side of his team, after Adson’s entry from the right. But it was Adson who tied the game, heading in a perfect cross from Lucas Piton.

The classic showed two characteristics of this championship start. Coaches are strategists and interfere in matches according to changes made by their teammates. And revelations appear.

Corinthians climbed seven silvers from the house, among the newly discovered, such as Du Queiroz, Mantuan and Raul Gustavo, and the returnees, such as Willian, Jô and Maycon. São Paulo has chosen Diego Costa, Rodrigo Nestor and Igor Gomes, a wildcard, increasingly important in various roles.

For thirteen minutes, he played as first midfielder, between the return of the break and the entry of Gabriel Neves. Not with the same tackling ability as Du Queiroz, definitely adapted to the position, record holder of ball recoveries in the classic – six in total.

It is not yet possible to define Corinthians and São Paulo as candidates for the title, unlike Palmeiras, which now occupies the vice-leadership, benefiting from the loss of two points by rivals.

But the classic shows Corinthians and São Paulo in evolution. Both Vítor Pereira and Rogério Ceni make their teams chameleons, with changes in positioning and tactical systems at each moment of each match, more than with each rival.

Of everything that happened in Itaquera, Corinthians benefited. Still without winning classics in the year, they avoided having the sixth consecutive defeat against their rivals for the first time in their centenary history. It maintained the leadership of the championship and remains unbeaten by São Paulo inside its new stadium – ten victories and six draws.

For those who were much inferior in the first half, Corinthians comes out with a bigger chest than São Paulo.

palm trees arrived

Abel Ferreira follows with little rotation and good performance. No team in the country has performance as linked to scoring as Palmeiras today. He saved five holders against Emelec, it was only without Veiga against Juventude. He’s already the deputy leader.

guardiola

Manchester City deserved the English title, because they had the best attack, the best defense and led 23 rounds. But Guardiola felt the thud of defeat in the Champions League semi-final. The team also felt the mental burden. Technique and tactics held their heads together, but it was close.