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Palmeiras got in little bit different in comparison with other matches, in my point of view for better. Palestra started with David in defence, Martinez in midfield and Denílson in attack.

1. David and Gustavo are compensative but i prefer the 1st because he’s created in Parque Antártica;
2. Diego Souza isn’t playing well and Martinez give us more consistency in midfield;
3. Kléber kicked Maurício in training for this he don’t deserve to play.

Palmeiras controlled the 1st half. We created a bunch chances to score with Alex Mineiro and Denílson both missed in front of Inter’s goalkeeper Renan [Olympic national team's goalkeeper] . Both teams have 3 def. midfileders and 1 off. midfielder, and 2 strikers.

At 17′ Edinho was sent off for tackling Valdívia in his ankle, rightfully.

At 29′ Denílson had received in the penalty area feinted Uruguayan Sorondo and scored it. He was the best man on the pitch.

At injury time [45 + 2'] in a free-kick Alex crossed in Índio’s head that equalised the match.

At 60′ Chilean Valdívia was knocked down in the penalty area by Peruvian Orozco. Alex Mineiro [our penalty kicker and Paulistão's topscorer] did Palmeiras 2-1.

At 71′ another Inter’s player was sent off. The Argentinian Guiñazú trample on Lenny’s foot.

Now we’ll face Portuguesa “A Lusa” at Pacaembu stadium.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 2 x 1 SC INTERNACIONAL

Palmeiras

Marcos, É Granja (76′ Wendel), David, Henrique and Leandro; Pierre, Martinez, L Lima (72′ Lenny) and Valdivia; Denílson (80′ S Silva) and A Mineiro. Coach: V Luxemburgo

Internacional

Renan; Jonas, Índio, Sorondo (44′ Orozco) and Marcão; D Morais, Edinho, Guiñazú and Alex; Fernandão (72′ Adriano) and Nilmar (84′ R Lopes). Coach: A Braga.

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium

Referee: Marcelo Henrique (Fifa-RJ)

Attendance: 10,081 [blame the directorship for this, R$ 40 to watch a game in Brazil. That's a nonsense.]

The final match was incredibly easy even Sérgio Guedes had lain about their line-up to say that Elias, César “pé frio” and Leandro were not in conditions to play.

“Dumb” Sérgio Guedes put someone to follow Valdívia and forgot flanks where Leandro and Élder Granja played freely.

Valdívia after the match:

Today is the day of celebration. I’m very happy with this result and today is the happiest day of my life after my daughter’s birth. Now i don’t wanna think to leave Palmeiras. I just wanna celebrate and thank Luxemburgo for this opportunity.

At 21′ in a dead-ball situation Leandro crossed the ball into the mixer and Ricardo Conceição scored an own goal.

At 33′ Élder Granja went up freely and crossed to Alex Mineiro who scored with a fine header.

At 73′ the greatest goal of the tournament. El Mago carried the ball off feinted a pontepretano and shot it in the right side of the goal.

At 75′ Valdívia among 3 opponents found Martinez that passed to Alex Mineiro just to push it in the back of the net.

At 77′ Alex Mineiro topscorer of the tournament with 15 goals made another goal.

The best attack 45 goals scored and best defence average 0.78 goals allowed/match

According to FPF we have the best player of the tournament (Valdívia), best defender (Henrique), best midfielders (Pierre and Léo Lima) and topscorer (Alex Mineiro who won $300,000 reais as prize.)

Palmeiras’ 22nd title of São Paulo State Championship

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 5 x 0 AA PONTE PRETA

Palmeiras
Marcos (D Cavalieri);
E Granja, Henrique, Gustavo and Leandro;
Pierre, Martinez, D Souza and Valdívia;
A Mineiro (Lenny) and Kléber (Denílson).
Coach: V Luxemburgo

P Preta
Aranha;
E Arroz, César, J Paulo and Vicente;
Deda, R Conceição, Elias (Giuliano) and Renato;
L Ricardo and Leandro (Wanderley).
Coach: S Guedes

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Cléber Abade
Attendance: 30,000
Red cards: PAL - D Souza; PP - Deda.

For us it was a humiliation because we lost to a club of Northeast and lost the opportunity of to confirm our spot in Libertadores Cup, now is to wait to the Brasileirão.

But Romerito was humble to ask for Marcos‘ shirt:

I’m big Marcos‘ fan. He’s above of normal players, exceptional.

The truth Romerito is not so fan of Marcos. At least on the pitch because he scored 3 times (6′, 30′ and 41′) and all from his head. Summarizing Sport controlled all 1st half.

In the beginning Sport had a player sent off for pulling shirt of some palestrino. Palmeiras began playing well lost goals’ chances with Denílson, Makelele and Alex Mineiro.

Now Leão is gonna face off Inter Porto Alegre.

HIGHLIGHTS

SPORT CR 4 x 1 SE PALMEIRAS

Sport
Magrão;
Diogo, Durval, Igor (C Lucena) and Dutra;
D Paulista, Everton, Kássio (F Gomes) and Romerito;
C Bala and L Machado (Roger).
Coach: N Baptista

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja (Makelele), Gustavo, Henrique and Leandro;
Pierre (Denílson), Martinez (Francis), D Souza and Valdívia;
A Mineiro and Kléber.
Coach: V Luxemburgo

Venue: Ilha do Retiro stadium
Referee: Héber Lopes (FIFA - PR)
Attendance: 34,000

At 22′ Léo Lima had shot the ball plainly and nobody bothered him but Ceni made a howler, a basic mistake.

At half time the confusion showed up. The São Paulo FC’s players hadn’t stayed at locker room because of someone threw pepper gas at it.

At 2nd half Palmeiras was dangerous on the counter-attack and São Paulo FC preferred the long-ball game and their power in the air.

After André Dias had received the red card Wendel on the counter-attack passed to Valdívia that put it the back of the net.

Right after the goal Palestra Itália had a blackout around 15 minutes later restarted the match but the game ended 2-0.

Now in the final of Paulistão we’re gonna face Ponte Preta that we already won at Palestra Itália by 2-1.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 2 x 0 SÃO PAULO FC
Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja, Gustavo, Henrique and Leandro;
Martinez, L Lima, Valdívia and D Souza (Wendel);
A Mineiro (Lenny) and Kléber (Denílson)
Coach: V Luxemburgo

São Paulo FC
Ceni;
A Silva, Miranda and A Dias;
Joílson (S Mota), J Wagner, F Santos, Hernanes and Júnior (Hugo);
Adriano and Dagoberto (Borges)
Coach: M Ramalho

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Wilson Seneme
Attendance: 27,680

The 10 most memorable wins after has been defeated in 1st leg

Palmeiras 0-1 Corinthians
Corinthians 0-4 Palmeiras
*By the way Luxemburgo was our coach.

Botafogo 2-1 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 1-0 Botafogo

Cruzeiro 1-0 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 2-0 Cruzeiro

Flamengo 2-1 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 4-2 Flamengo

River Plate 1-0 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 3-0 River Plate

Deportivo Cali 1-0 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 2-1 Deportivo Cali [penalty shoot-out: PAL 4-3 DC]

Corinthians 4-3 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 3-2 Corinthians [penalty shoot-out: PAL 5-4 COR]

Flamengo 2-1 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 1-0 Flamengo
*Champions’ Cup was a competition disputed among regional champions.

São Caetano 1-0 Palmeiras
Palmeiras 1-0 São Caetano [penalty shoot-out: PAL 5-3 SC]

São Paulo FC was able to neutralize Palmeiras. Joílson and Jorge Wagner blocked off both sides and in this way Élder Granja and Leandro couldn’t progress with liberty. Zé Luís was like a tick on Valdívia but El Mago didn’t seek the ball.

Palmeiras just began to play at 65′ when Lenny got in. He was the best palmeirense on the pitch, he messed up the tricolor defense and got a penalty-kick that didn’t happen.

But on next Sunday we just need to win by one goal difference and they won’t have Zé Luís and Richarlyson, though we won’t have Pierre too.

Because of that they need to appeal to Fábio Santos (on loan from Lyon) come back who has been suspended by misbehaviour.

1st HALF

At 7′ Ceni in a dead-ball situation shot the ball that passed close to goal.

At 11′ São Paulo FC scored it. After a free-kick Jorge Wagner crossed into the mixer Adriano with his hand push it.

At 16′ after a cross from right-hand Alex Mineiro headed and hit it the post.

At 36′ Pierre shot it and Ceni saved.

2nd HALF

At 47′ Gustavo his first touch let him down Jorge Wagner got the ball and passed to Adriano who committed foul on Pierre and did the goal.

At 50′ Diego Souza passed over 2 defenders and shot it but Ceni saved.

At 77′ The referee after has gave a goal using a hand he practically was forced to create a “penalty-kick” and got this opportunity when Lenny got into the penalty area and simulated has been tackled. Alex Mineiro scored it.

At 79′ out of the area Valdívia made a good shot that Ceni saved it.

HIGHLIGHTS

SÃO PAULO FC 2 x 1 SE PALMEIRAS

São Paulo FC
Ceni;
A Silva, A Dias and Miranda;
Joílson, Z Luís, Richarlyson, Hernanes and J Wagner;
Adriano and Dagoberto (Hugo).
Coach: M Ramalho

SE Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja (Lenny), Gustavo, Henrique, Leandro;
Pierre (Martinez), L Lima, Valdívia and D Souza;
A Mineiro and Kléber (Denílson).
Coach: V Luxemburgo

Venue: Morumbi
Referee: Paulo C de Oliveira (FIFA)
Attendance: 37,203

The match against Barueri was boring for my side, of course, Barueri still had a chance to qualify but it needed for other results like defeats of Ponte Preta and Corinthians. Corinthians lost (is not a surprise) to Noroeste at Bauru but Ponte Preta got a draw at Santos.

We got 10th straight wins currently Verdão has the biggest invincibility in Brazil already are 14 undefeated games.

Even Barueri started better in the match still dreaming to be in the semi-finals. They kept possession ball in a 1st half. Palmeiras had few good moments.

At 8′ after a free-kick Léo Lima crossed the ball Henrique touched it and Diego Souza headed it requiring a great René’s save.

At 14′ Denílson made a good shot right over the crossbar.

At 21′ Márcio Careca (former Palmeiras’ player) shot and Marcos put it to corner-kick.

At 42′ after Denílson has made a nice play he crossed right in Diego Souza’s head but René didn’t allow the goal.

2nd Half Palmeiras woke up with Luxemburgo’s orientation

At 48′ Martinez crossed and Jorge Preá headed in left-hand of goal but René inspired by Gordon Banks didn’t let the ball in. But in corner-kick Diego Souza back-heeled the ball to Léo Lima who shot in right-hand of the goal.

But the match was damaged by the weak referee Guilherme de Lima. He marked 2 penalties one for each side, the 1st one at 49′ Fernando dived into the area and besides penalty-kick he gave a yellow card to Léo Lima but São Marcos saved the penalty-kick. The 2nd one Diego disputed the ball with Alex Mineiro, no foul, but to compensate the “referee” gave us a penalty-kick, himself scored it.

At 90′ in a dead-ball situation Élder Granja crossed and Diego Souza headed indefensibly scoring 3rd goal.

HIGHLIGHTS

GR BARUERI 0 vs. 3 SE PALMEIRAS
Barueri
Renê;
M Pimentel, Duílio, Diego n’ M Careca;
M Carrasco, R Ponte, Flávio (Guaru) n’ J César(R Santos);
T Humberto n’ A Balada (Fernando)
Coach: M Araújo

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja, Gustavo, Henrique n’ Leandro;
Martinez, L Lima (Wendel), D Souza n’ Denílson (Lenny)
A Mineiro n’ J Preá (Makelele)
Coach: V. Luxemburgo

Venue: Barueri Arena
Referee: Guilherme de Lima
Attendance: unrevealed

Palmeiras played very well over two sides with Élder Granja e Leandro switched play all time. The team suffered a bit of pressure from Central in the beginning of the game around 10′-15′ with Leonardo and Cláudio but after that Verdão showed them a good spectacle.

Luxemburgo changed the starting line-up, he put Denílson beside Kléber instead of our topscorer Alex Mineiro. We gained velocity but we lost the reference in the middle of the penalty area.

Leandro on a counter-attack by right-hand controlled the ball until the penalty area when shot it hit the post and Kléber with a clinical finish put 0-1 on the scoreboard at 18′.

At 42′ in a dead-ball situation Élder Granja put it in the Valdívia’s head and goal! His 8th goal in this season. Valdívia show us who also is a great header.

At 56′ in a unpretentious corner-kick Williams crossed hit Léo Lima and entered in the goal but referee gave the goal to Williams from Central.

Central motivate itself crossed a lot of balls but it can’t equalised.

At 80′ Martinez in a perfect free-kick did it one more. Remembering Martinez entered in Diego Souza’s position who didn’t anything.

Before end of match Martinez and Valdívia suffered 2 penalties that Alex Mineiro shot and did it both, one at 85′ and other at 88′, this last one Humberto was sent off for receiving the 2nd yellow card.

Now we wait for Sport Recife or Brasiliense 1st leg was 1-2 for Sport at Brasília.

HIGHLIGHTS

CENTRAL 1 v. 5 SE PALMEIRAS
Central
Davi;
Celso, Bebeto, Humberto n’ Vital;
Williams, Moacir, Doda (J Neto - 82′) n’ E Chiquita (Alanzinho - 77′);
Leonardo (Marcos - 90′) n’ Cláudio.
Coach: M Vilar (former Palmeiras’ coach)

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E Granja, Henrique, Gustavo n’ Leandro;
Pierre, L Lima, Valdívia n’ D Souza (Martinez - 70′);
Kléber (J Preá - 78′) n’ Denílson (A Mineiro - 70′).
Coach: V Luxemburgo

Venue: Luiz José Lacerda stadium
Referee: Edílson da Mata from Mato Grosso
Attendance: unrevealed

Palestra Itália will be the venue of couple rock concerts on next week (Rod Stewart and Korn, Black Label Society and as headliner Ozzy Osbourne) but on Saturday was Palmeiras that gave a true concert scored 3 goals and reached the semi-finals.

After 12 matches undefeated, 8 straight wins and 4 draw, situate itself as favorite to championship.

1st HALF

At 23′ criticize by many people (including myself) Alex Mineiro scored after has received pass from Valdívia.

At 32′ Denílson made a nice play through the middle went over 3 Azulão’s guys shot that stung Júlio César’s palms

At 37′ known by his defensive efficiency Pierre score his 1st goal after 65 games. The midfielder received pass from El Mago feinted and shot right in the right-hand of goal.

2nd HALF

At 49′ A. Mineiro alone had another chance to score but other time made a bad shot.

At 69′ Valdívia invaded right-hand of penalty area shot above Júlio César the ball touched the crossbar and fell it in the back of the net.

At 76′ after a cross the ball touch Élder Granja’s arm the referee beyond doubt mark penalty-kick. Douglas (our next rival ‘cos he goes to Corinthians) scored it.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 3 vs 1 AD SÃO CAETANO

Palmeiras
Marcos;
E. Granja, David, Henrique e Leandro;
Pierre, Martinez, Valdívia (Makelele) e D. Souza (Wendel);
A. Mineiro e Denílson (J. Preá)
Coach: V. Luxemburgo

São Caetano
J. César;
Aderaldo, J. Paulo e Tobi;
Rogério (Daniel), Galiardo, Hernani (Luan), Douglas e Andrezinho;
Tico e Marcelinho (Rafinha)
Coach: Pintado

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Robério Pires
Attendance: 23,027