Athletico draws with Palmeiras, escapes from falling and focuses on the Copa do Brasil

Athletico had more work than expected in this Monday (6), but managed a draw against the reserves of Palmeiras that frees them from the risk of being relegated in the Brazilian Championship.

At the Arena da Baixada, there were no goals. In the first half, because of the rubro-negro goalkeeper Santos. In the final stage, it was alviverde Vinícius Silvestre’s turn to complete his goal well. And the 0-0 was enough for the Curitiba team.

As did the visitors, Athletico even considered scaling a team full of reserves. However, the risk of relegation at Nacional made coach Alberto Valentim use the main athletes in the squad even with the close of the Brazil Cup decision.

Now, with 46 points, this fear no longer exists, as Juventude, in 17th place and first in the red part of the table, has 43, but has fewer victories in the competition (13 against 10). In the last round, the team from Rio Grande do Sul can draw on points with the Paraná, but cannot surpass them in the tie-breaking criterion.

Valentim’s squad, who recently won the Copa Sudamericana, can now focus on the Copa do Brasil. After passing by Santos in the quarterfinals and by Flamengo in the semifinals, the team will fight for the bi-championship against Atlético-MG. The two decisive games are scheduled for the 12th and 15th of this month.

In a first half dominated by the São Paulo team, the hosts escaped from falling behind on the scoreboard in the 36th minute, when the Palmeirenses complained about a penalty after defender Thiago Heleno deflected the ball with his arm. However, referee Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães noted a foul by Vitinho on Pedro Henrique at the beginning of the move.

After the break, Athletico came back more turned on, and the scenario was reversed. Canesin, Marcinho and Bissoli had good chances, but stopped at alviverde’s defense.

For Palmeiras, the score does not change the situation of the team in the Nacional table. The current champion of Copa Libertadores will finish the Brazilian competition in third, behind Flamengo and Atlético-MG, the winner of the event.

In the last round, on Thursday (9), the team from São Paulo will end its participation against Ceará, in São Paulo. Athletico will face Sport, on the same day, in Recife.