Flamengo and Bahia have regained the leadership in the Brasileirão, with Palmeiras slowly climbing after securing their second consecutive win. In contrast, the eighth round worsened the football crisis for major teams like Fluminense, Corinthians, Vasco da Gama, and Grêmio, all of which are dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Flamengo defeated Grêmio 2-1 at Maracanã thanks to two goals from Luiz Araújo, who started as a substitute and came on thirty minutes into the game for the injured Igor Jesús. Edenilson scored the lone goal for the Tricolor Gaúcho, which has suffered three consecutive defeats and is just one point away from the relegation zone, although they have two postponed matches due to the tragic floods in southern Brazil.
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Bahia also tops the table after defeating Fortaleza 1-0 in a duel of teams from the northeast, thanks to a header from Jean Lucas ten minutes from the end. The team managed by Rogério Ceni lost their Brasileirão debut but have not suffered another defeat since then.
Just one point behind the leaders are Botafogo, who defeated Fluminense on Tuesday, and Athletico Paranaense, who won 3-1 at home against Criciúma. Gonzalo Mastriani, with two goals, and Tomás Cuello scored the goals, while Barreto scored for the visitors.
Fim da Rodada dos Apaixonados!
Olha a classificação como ficou…
Tá amando? Tá só curtindo? Ou quer superar? pic.twitter.com/EI8RiPLf9U
— Brasileirão Betano (@Brasileirao) June 14, 2024
São Paulo failed to close in on the top spot after a 0-0 draw against Inter in a clash between Argentine coaches. Luis Zubeldía’s team was superior, but they couldn’t overcome Eduardo Coudet’s side.
This allowed Palmeiras to capitalize, winning and matching São Paulo’s points tally. The two-time Brasileirão champions defeated Vasco da Gama 2-0 with goals from Joaquín Piquerez and Rony.
Cruzeiro also climbed the table by beating Cuiabá 2-1. The Belo Horizonte team has one game in hand, and if they win it, they will be just one point behind the leaders.
The crisis of the giants
Fluminense, Corinthians, Vasco da Gama, and Grêmio have only accumulated six points in the tournament. They are just one point ahead of Criciúma and Atlético Goianiense, who are in the relegation zone, and three points ahead of bottom-placed Vitória, the only team yet to win a match in the championship.
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.
Binge the full series, available on Sambafoot’s Youtube channel.
