Opinion – PVC: Rogério suffers, but tries to attack again

Winning derbies is a challenge for Corinthians in 2022, even though Vítor Pereira says his life is made up of winning derbies. Come on, they never lost a Porto x Benfica, but the tenth meeting against the three rivals from São Paulo kept the sequence with only one victory. There are seven defeats and three draws.

Look how the Portuguese coach made an effort. He named eight likely starters for the Copa do Brasil, an obvious priority at this point in the season. He trained all week, tried to give rhythm to his main athletes in Morumbi, played well after the entry of Renato Augusto.

And even then, it doesn’t win.

Sin that a Majestic, for the Brasileirão, serves more to understand who will play the knockout than for Corinthians to fight for the title and São Paulo to add points to get out of the last positions.

Rogério Ceni was afraid of muscle injuries. He justified the selection on the grounds of having the physically stronger team, to equal the rival who trained the last six days. He showed signs that he is finally giving up three defenders.

He goes back to the origin of his work, in the 4-1-3-2 system. Colorado as first midfielder, behind a line of guards with Igor Gomes on the right, Galoppo on the left, Talles Costa in the center. Éder and Bustos formed the attacking duo, armed less than necessary, because São Paulo missed too many passes.

The first stage started worse and ended better, against Corinthians, with the enormous disposition of Du Queiroz. Vítor Pereira kept his three midfielders and three forwards. In addition to Du, Giuliano gave a pass to Yuri Alberto.

Éder kicked the post in the 18th minute of the second half and Roger Guedes pulled the counterattack in the sequence. Instead of offering the pass to Du Queiroz, with the aisle open, he gave the ball to Yuri Alberto, who was offside. Vítor Pereira’s patience ended there. The next minute, Guedes was replaced by Mateus Vital.

In part, saved for Thursday (15), against Fluminense. In part, that’s because his error rate was higher than you’d expect from a talented striker, even though he’s the most accurate finisher.

Rogério was replacing holders in the second half. First Pablo Maia and Luciano, then Patrick and Calleri. Even so, with the entry of a single Corinthians holder, the team improved: Renato Augusto. With him on the field, Vítor Pereira’s team now had 59% of ball possession in the second half and created the best chances. In the main one, Bruno Méndez took a long time to kick and Felipe Alves saved with his foot. Then Renato Augusto took a corner. On the rebound, Fausto Vera kicked the post.

It impresses and disappoints how Corinthians improves with Renato Augusto and how, at the same time, they can count on their best player so few times. He was out of nine games in the Brazilian. With him on the field, the team has 26 of the 44 points conquered.

The game confirmed that Corinthians is only strong at home. Esperança, because they will play in Itaquera against Fluminense, the semifinal of the Copa do Brasil. It also shows that Rogério Ceni returned to believe in attacking his rivals, casting Luciano, Patrick and Calleri together.

He didn’t do that against Flamengo, on the first leg, and lost at Morumbi. The trio will climb in Maracanã, to try the redeeming turn.

final twelve

Palmeiras suffered more than expected to beat the lantern Juventude, but they played well. Dudu, Scarpa and Tabata’s position reversals worked and the team overcame the absence of Raphael Veiga. Problem: it’s been six games that have conceded a goal in all of them.

foot in the door

Oswaldo de Oliveira is world champion for Corinthians and three times Japanese champion, which belies the thesis that the Brazilian coach does not go to Europe because of the language. Very sad to see him defend market reserve. He in Japan can. Portuguese, in Brazil, can’t!?