Internacional set early pace as the Brazilian championship begins
Von Matt
3 Kommentare
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Three rounds into the new Brazilian championship, Internacional top the table and are the only club to have their 100% record intact. With leagues across Europe being wound up until next season, the Campeonato Brasileiro  is just beginning running from May right through to December.
 
Prior to the start of the new Brazilian championship, the clubs completed the trivial yet obligatory state championships giving an early glimpse as to who the likely contenders could be to challenge São Paulo’s grip in recent years, having the won the last three championships.
 
In the São Paulo state championship Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo qualified with ease for the final stages whilst Santos completed the quartet, sneaking in through the back door to qualify on goal difference. Inspired by their latest star attraction -17 year old Neymar and striker Kleber Pereira, Santos made it through to the competition's final against Brazil’s second most popular club Corinthians who had bolstered their ranks earlier in the year by signing Ronaldo. A comfortable first leg victory in Santos followed by a one all home draw saw Corinthians crowned São Paulo state champions amidst flames as the trophy and players almost caught fire during celebrations!
 
                       
In Rio, crisis stricken Vasco’s hopes of a successful Rio state campaign were dealt a severe blow after they were deducted points for fielding an ineligible player, whilst Fluminense showed a sign of their intent by recapturing Thiago Neves on loan and snapping up Lyon striker Fred. However, it was Botafogo and Flamengo who respectively won the competition's two stages with Flamengo needing penalties to defeat Botafogo at the Maracanã stadium, under the intense sun to secure their third success Rio state title.
 
Cruzeiro another of Brazil’s strongest sides eased to the Minas Gerais state championship comfortably defeating fierce local rivals Atlético over two legs.
 
Meanwhile in southern Brazil, another two of countries major clubs competed in the largely uncompetitive Gaúcho state championship. Internacional marked the beginning of their centenary finishing as champions without losing a game as Grêmio chose to largely ignore the competition, turning their attentions to their Copa Libertadores campaign.
 
So, the Brazilian championship began in the second week of May with Palmeiras’ recent addition - the highly rated striker Keirrison, facing his former club Coritiba in the first round. Palmeiras showed exactly why they are considered as title contenders as they came from a goal down to score twice in the second half. No prizes for guessing who scored the 88th minute winner! Current champions São Paulo got their campaign off to a poor start in Rio as Fluminense earned themselves a one nil victory in front of a disappointing 14,000 crowd.
 
In the rounds other big fixture, Ronaldo was absent as Corinthians decided to rest their star striker for their first game since gaining promotion from the second division, as they faced Internacional. A resilient defensive performance coupled with a truly world class goal from Nilmar saw Internacional take all three points.
 
 
The championship’s second round began with Flamengo supporters ruing their side’s inability to convert chances as they could only manage a goalless draw at home to newcomers Avaí. The result made the arrival of former Brazil and Inter Milan forward Adriano even more welcome as the troubled striker regains his fitness. In Porto Alegre it was a similar story for visitors Palmeiras, as Vanderlei Luxembourgo’s side fell to their first defeat of the championship to an understrength Internacional side. The following evening São Paulo collected their first point of the championship with a hard fought 2-2 draw against Atlético Paranaense. Despite having played just two rounds, Internacional and Vitória, based from Brazil’s north east, were the only clubs to have picked up consecutive wins.
 
Last weekend’s third round began with Vitória facing a difficult trip to Cruzeiro who had lost their influential midfielder Ramires to Benfica. Cruzeiro retaliated as front man Kléber scored twice handing Vitória their first defeat. Internacional continued fielding a mixed team due to their Brazilian Cup commitments and notched up another resilient victory. Explosive young forward Taison came off the bench to score, crowning off a trademark Internacional counter attack. São Paulo continued their search for a win against cross city rivals Palmeiras. A uneventful goalless draw leaves the current champions seven points off leaders Internacional even at this early stage. Náutico and Atlético-MG are the championships only over unbeaten clubs as they both won 3-2 away from home. Meanwhile, Santos handed Fluminense their first defeat winning 4-1. The home defeat for Fluminense which highlighted their defensive frailties and lack of discipline clearly became too much for some supporters who invaded the pitch during a training session earlier this week demanding answers from the players!

http://globoesporte.globo.com/Esportes/Fotos/0,,GF71388-9645,00-FOTOS+CONFUSAO+EM+TREINO+DO+FLUMINENSE.html#fotogaleria=1
 
 
Written by Colorado Matt
3  Kommentare
Von  urubu
28.05.2009 23:20
Hi colorado, your team really is in excellent shape at this time and the Inter fans have many reasons to be optimistic for this season but, as you say, the brasileirão is just beginning. I hope the transfer window does not destroy my team again so we can see other great duels as the last two games against Internacional. By the way I´ll bet on Inter champion of Copa do Brasil.
29.05.2009 18:50
Hi urubu, thanks for your comment. I was asked to write a piece here about my thoughts on Inter and the Brasileiro. I don't know if you are Brazilian or who you support but I really think Inter already have an advantage over Sao Paulo even at this VERY early stage. In my opinion, I still believe Brazilian's are still getting used to the 'European style' league format and that 3 points at the beginning of the competition is equally as important as three points at the end. I strongly belief (without bias) that Inter already have a significant advantage over Sao Paulo, even at this incredibly early stage. Of course, the August transfer window could make or break the ambitions of several club's but I am confident Inter are well prepared for this and the squad will not be badly disrupted despite the expected departure of Nilmar. Another solid performance against Coritba and Inter will also be in the final of the Copa do Brasil which would be great for the club's centenary.. Obrigado, Matt
Von  urubu
30.05.2009 02:14
I agree with your point of view, Matt, Inter is a strong candidate . The team of São Paulo today does not seem as well as the Inter but the club has a good structure for this type of competition, they seemed far away last year and won the title in the last round. It´s a long and hard competition with at least 6 or 7 equal forces fighting for the title. Inter have the advantage of being well financially to keep the majors players, but without Nilmar will be more difficult to maintain the current standard. I hope that the effects of the transfer window may be more lenient this year, Flamengo lost the leadership in 2008 after selling three players in the middle of the championship. If Ibson not leave the team next month, Fla may be a competitor to be feared. Cruzeiro is another candidate but lost a key player last week, Ramires to Benfica. Even the Grêmio which now is dedicated to the Libertadores, should be considered. And Palmeiras, Santos, Corinthians, etc. With this league format I think only on one occasion the team that led the first part ended champion, Cruzeiro in 2003 at the first year of the "current points" mode. Before that on 31 issues was never a final match with the same teams. Despite my bad English what I mean is that the Brasileirão is the most unpredictable league I know. I am brazilian and Flamengo not necessarily in this order. Abraço e boa sorte for Inter in Copa do Brasil.
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