The classic of those who settled for little – 05/14/2023 – PVC

Vanderlei Luxemburgo arrived at the Neo Química Arena talking about all the work he has done in recent days to rebuild Corinthians. He only touched on relationship aspects. In the old days when he was the best coach in the country, Luxemburgo played in the tactical part. Even with motivational speeches, like when he gave a diaper to defender Gladstone, from Cruzeiro.

In their successes, the value was strategic, not motivational.

Corinthians started well, with problems with marking, because Fausto Vera was touching Luciano and there was no one to accompany Michel Araújo, when he left the left end to the inside.

Also because of an old dilemma: Roger Guedes doesn’t mark anyone.

That’s why Rafinha made the pass to receive Wellington Rato’s pass and serve Michel Araújo, with no one bothering him during the first goal. Gil failed.

It didn’t change the whole first half, not even when Wesley went wide to the left to concede the penalty. Luxemburgo’s intention, with the inversion of Roger Guedes, to the right, Wesley to the left, was to force Caio Paulista’s second yellow card. He ended up reaching Wesley’s penalty kick.

Roger Guedes equalized.

Casting a new boy, as if it were an authorial work, is also Luxemburg’s face. Wesley debuted last year, against Portuguesa-RJ, for the Copa do Brasil, with information that he had dribbles and goals. Luxembourg did not invent anything. He collected information, which is a good thing for a coach.

Nothing like the time when part of the press melted saying that Vanderlei had tied a tactical knot in São Paulo, as was said after the first game of the 1998 state finals. In the second game, Raí returned from France, destroyed Corinthians and no more was said about a little bow.

This time, it is more difficult to work at Parque São Jorge than it was 25 years ago. Even with more structure, the pressure generated by the arrival and departure of Cuca dismantled the atmosphere. Luxembourg needs a mix of morale revitalization and tactical system.

Dorival Júnior also changed the atmosphere in the locker room. It was understood that excessive criticism undermined confidence. Defensively, São Paulo improved. In seven matches, only two goals were conceded, one from outside the area, by Coritiba, the other from the penalty spot, by Roger Guedes.

Beraldo was the best on the field. Dorival Júnior defends with 61% possession of the ball, but with a measly shot on target, the goal by Michel Araújo.

São Paulo lacks more depth, a defect reflected in the eight goals in seven matches since the change of technical command. Tricolor is stronger, more confident, but it seems more prone to disputes in the Cups than in the Brazilian.

At least for a while.

Corinthians rejuvenated and selected only four players over 31 years old, Cássio, Fágner, Gil and Giuliano. Having three of them in the defensive system makes it difficult to score in the attacking field. Everything will explode on the slow quarterbacks.

It remains, for now, to explore the counterattacks, in the most difficult matches, such as the derby against São Paulo. Corinthians settles for little. Waiting for the end of the game, without suffering another defeat. Maintain the taboo, with 17 games without defeat against the rival in Neo Química and four straight draws, in the last four visits to São Paulo.

IMPROVED

Executive director of Bragantino, Thiago Scuro will leave Bragança for Monte Carlo, in July. Leaving Brazil with one certainty: “The Brazilian Championship has improved, but to get even better, all you have to do is change the calendar.” The performances below what they can, from Palmeiras and Fluminense in this round, confirm this.

LIES, NO

It is worth paying attention to Flamengo’s lineup against Fluminense, to understand if Sampaoli spoke the truth or if he lied when he said that he changed five players at the same time because they were all injured. Unlikely. Fairer to say that he preserved the team for the Copa do Brasil.

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