Corinthians increased its crisis with a defeat in Buenos Aires against Argentinos Juniors that puts its classification in the Copa Sudamericana in danger. One of those singled out for the fall was defender Raul Gustavo, who had himself sent off in an unusual way.
Without their usual starters, facing the semi-final clash in the Argentine League Cup against Vélez, Argentinos Juniors took the lead as soon as the match began through a goal from Gonzalo Verón. That goal came after a great defensive inattention by the Brazilian team and a huge failure by the experienced goalkeeper Cássio.
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The duel ended up being difficult for Timão when he was left with one less on the playing field, around the quarter-hour mark of the second half. Raul Gustavo sent the ball to the side in the middle of a struggle with winger Matías Perelló and when the linesman stood in the middle to avoid a fight, the Brazilian footballer pushed him and then hit him in the face. The Chilean referee Piero Maza did not hesitate and showed him the red card directly.
RAUL GUSTAVO EXPULSO
DEU UM SOCO NO BANDEIRINHA
INACREDITÁVEL
A REAÇÃO DO DIGUINHO KKKKKKKKKKKKK
https://t.co/FpfnIMUFoX— Sala12 (@OficialSala12) April 24, 2024
Argentinos Junios now leads Group F with six points, while Corinthians was in second position with four, the same number of units as Racing de Montevideo. The São Paulo team will play again for this continental tournament on May 7, in Asunción and against Nacional, which lost both games played.
🎆⚽️ ¡Un remate incontenible! El gol de @AAAJoficial en la zurda de Gastón Verón para la victoria ante #Corinthians.#LaMagiaDeVerdad @CocaColaAr pic.twitter.com/LiiSAlOs28
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) April 24, 2024
Cássio: “Everything bad that happens at Corinthians falls on me”
In goal since 2012, goalkeeper Cássio was self-critical of the team’s bad moment, he acknowledged mistakes such as the one that caused the goal in the defeat in Buenos Aires, but he also said that he was used as the scapegoat for all the club’s problems. “Everything bad that happens at Corinthians falls on me. The team receives goals and it is Cássio’s fault. They concede a penalty and it’s Cássio’s fault,” he told the television broadcast after the match.
“I’m humble enough to know when I made a mistake. I confess that it is a difficult moment. We have to keep our eyes open, there is a lot ahead, but this start of the season has to be a learning experience, we have to improve from this situation and get out of it,” added the goalkeeper and did not rule out leaving.
Remembering Zagallo
Sambafoot Series launched a new documentary about the football legend Zagallo. Known as ‘Velho Lobo‘ and as superstitious as it gets, Zagallo helped shape what Brazilian football is nowadays — as a player and as a coach.
The first and second episodes are available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel and the series will receive weekly releases to tell this legend’s life story.
