Semifinal of technicians and old-fashioned system – 07/23/2023 – PVC

São Paulo is the only one of the twelve clubs that changed coaches and rose from the shelf in the Brazilian Championship. Dorival Júnior took his team from the 14th position and is now competing for a place in the Libertadores.

It’s in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil.

Vanderlei Luxemburgo is different. He took over Corinthians in the fight not to fall and is still in it. But he can be champion if he wins the semifinal against São Paulo.

He was not a victim of the recent injustice suffered by Dorival at Flamengo, who dismissed him after winning Libertadores and the 2022 Copa do Brasil.

Luxemburgo follows his phase “Quase sem Querer”, a reference to the Legião Urbana song that says: “When what I wanted most was to prove to everyone that I didn’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

It was the tone of his interview in Salvador, after the bland 0-0 draw with Bahia.

Luxemburgo is right when he says that the strong renewal at Corinthians explains some of the bad results, especially when the more experienced players rest.

The semifinal of the Copa do Brasil will represent doom or opportunity for both Dorival and Luxembourg.

Curious tactical connection, between Luxemburgo and Dorival, who won Libertadores 2022 with an apparently old-fashioned midfield diamond. Used the design with Thiago Maia, Éverton Ribeiro, João Gomes and De Arrascaeta, attack with Gabigol and Pedro, in the continental final won against Athletico, in Guayaquil.

Connection with Luxembourg, because the oldest Corinthians coach was Brazilian champion five times, always with this system.

It qualified in the quarterfinals, against América, also in this way. Moscardo was selected as the first steering wheel, behind Fausto Vera, Renato Augusto and Matías Rojas.

Difficult to climb for the classic against São Paulo, with Moscardo injured and Matías Rojas doubtful, due to an ankle injury.

Luxemburgo can choose another defensive midfielder, and keep the scheme, or use Bruno Méndez in a line of five defenders. For playing in Itaquera and not wanting to show fear of the opponent, it is possible to think of the team for the quarterfinals with a new head of the area — Roni or Maycon.

More likely to repeat the system of the last two games and use three defenders, line of five defenders.

Dorival Júnior retired the midfield diamond at São Paulo because of the different characteristics of his squad compared to Flamengo.

He has two defensive midfielders, Wellington Rato on the right wing, Rodrigo Nestor on the left. Nestor escapes to the middle and leaves the left aisle free for lateral Caio Paulista.

Sometimes you see São Paulo attacking in a 3-2-5, like Guardiola’s Manchester City. The offensive line goes from Wellington Rato on the right to Caio Paulista on the left, passing through Luciano, Calleri and Rodrigo Nestor.

Which increases the notion that Luxemburgo can bet on the three axes.

Dorival Júnior is the greatest example of a Brazilian coach, out of fashion, despised even after being champion. Luxembourg was the best coach in the country. Even so, he only won the national knockout once, with Cruzeiro, in 2003, when Dorival began the career that gave him two of these trophies.

São Paulo is the favorite, even playing in Itaquera, where there were 16 matches, with 10 Corinthians wins and 6 draws.

CRUDE IRONY

Abel Ferreira is a very good coach, trying to become a comedian. Bad his irony, asking if he was okay sitting in the chair, if anyone wanted to change his posture. Bad provocation. When he spoke of football, he pointed out physical and concentration reasons to try to explain Palmeiras’ fall. It was much better.

REINFORCEMENT

Jean Lucas made his debut for Santos, with a pass to a goal by Marcos Leonardo. The striker scored twice against the leader of the Brazilian, who had only conceded seven goals in 15 matches. Botafogo’s power of reaction was gigantic. Better than Jean Lucas, only Botafogo side Marçal, highlight of the match.

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