Paulista came into this game full of confidence after their 5-0 thrashing of Independiente del Valle in the Libertadores. However, it was a different story against Inter de Limeira in the Paulista Championship as they suffered a 1-0 loss.
Despite boasting more possession for a good part of the game, Palmeiras faced an Inter team well organized in defense, with a good tactical setup.
Against the run of the play in the second half, the visitors saw a rare chance and Bruno Xavier did justice to it by firing home to make for the only goal of the night and a winner for his side. The win saw Inter guaranteed of qualification to the quarter-finals but now leaves Verdão in a delicate position.
Speaking after the game, Palmeiras star Raphael Veiga admitted it was a difficult game. He said: “Hard game. They knew how to mark us very well. We were unable to score the goals we needed. Question of players, everyone knows that there is this marathon of games, there is no way for us to have the full team to play all the games. It is very difficult, the teacher has to adapt already thinking about the next games.”
“I don’t like that word shame, but it’s not what we want. We will fight all the time to qualify, because we know that Palmeiras are out of a dispute is even something strange.”
The result leaves Palmeiras with 12 points and in third place in Group C. They are six points behind second-place Novorizontino and nine behind leaders Bragantino. It means Verdão need at least six more points from their remaining three games and must also hope that their rivals drop points.
Palmeiras return to the pitch on Sunday as they take on Santo André for their next clash.
