Palmeiras tries to end Copinha’s joke, but there are Santos in the way

When he composed “História pro Sinhozinho”, in 1947, Dorival Caymmi did not imagine that part of the melody would be so irritating for Palmeiras fans 75 years later. What used to be a lyric-free passage of the song today is often filled with the following lines: “Palmeiras don’t have a World Cup, Palmeiras don’t have a World Cup, they don’t have Copinha, they don’t have a World Cup”.

Now, the club alviverde is three games away from burying the affront. It is in the final of the São Paulo Junior Cup, the traditional Cup, which has never won. And again it disputes the Club World Cup, entering the dispute in the semifinals. The decision is scheduled for February 12, when Palestinians hope to be able to hear Caymmi again in peace.

Before seeking the professional title in the United Arab Emirates, the team tries this Tuesday (25th) to lift the trophy of the youth tournament for the first time. The opponent in the decision is Santos, and the decisive classic is scheduled for 10 am, at Allianz Parque, broadcast by Globo, Rede Vida and SporTV.

There will only be Palmeiras fans at the stadium in the west of São Paulo. Since 2016, the São Paulo Public Security Department only allows supporters of one team in the state classics. At Copinha, the regulation provided that the owner of the best campaign would have the support of the crowd in case of a big meeting.

Even so, Santos president Andres Rueda showed irritation with the FPF (São Paulo Football Federation). He disagreed with the marking of the match for Palmeiras’ home and pointed out that the field should be neutral. The tournament final traditionally takes place at Pacaembu, which was awarded to the private sector and is under construction.

The beach club published a note repudiating the decision of the tournament’s organization, saying that it “privileges the other finalist and does not pay attention to the principle of isonomy”. The federation replied that, “considering the best campaign among the finalists and the regulation of single fans, Palmeiras would naturally have its fans”.

For this reason, the organization explained, Allianz Parque was chosen. It is on the synthetic turf of the arena, to which the Alviverde players are more accustomed, that Paulo Victor Gomes’ men hope to lift the cup. They have the still very young Endrick, 15 years old, the club’s big bet.

Palmeiras have not lost so far in the competition. They won seven times and drew only once, when, already qualified for the knockout stage, they adopted a reserve formation against Água Santa. He scored 25 goals, conceded five and arrives in the favoritism condition for the meeting with Santos.

“I don’t like to talk about pressure. That’s a privilege for someone who works at a high level,” said Sousa, who asked his athletes to calm down in pursuit of the unprecedented goal. “We’re going to continue doing the same thing, naturally, calmly, respecting the opponent to, deservedly, win the title.

It was not with tranquility that the previous match ended. The 1-0 victory over São Paulo was marked by the invasion of the field by tricolor fans, who clashed with athletes from Palmeiras. At the end of the confusion, a knife was found in the field – according to the police, thrown from the stands.

At the time, as they had reached the duel with the best campaign, São Paulo had all the fans at the Arena Barueri, in Barueri. Palmeiras got the better of it anyway, and now the players use that triumph to show caution. If they could win without fans, Santos can too.

With six wins and two draws, the beach team advanced to the final making 3-0 at América-MG, in São Caetano do Sul, but the result had a high cost. Author of two goals in the match, top scorer Lucas Barbosa received the third yellow card and will have to serve an automatic suspension in the final match.

“We’re going strong for this final. I’m sure it will be a great game, regardless of the stadium and the crowd,” said defender Derick. “Playing in Palmeiras’ field, for us, doesn’t change. The decision, according to the regulations, would have to be in a neutral field. But whoever wants to be champion will face the opponent in his field”, added coach Elder Campos.

Champion of Copinha in 1984, 2013 and 2014, Santos seeks its fourth title in Copinha. Palmeiras, defeated in the 1970 final by Corinthians and surpassed by Santo André in the fight for the 2003 trophy, hopes to break the writing. And start putting an end to the music that bothers your fans so much.