I came because it involved a hiring controversy and wanted the fan to know that the responsibility is mine. I approved this contract.

Obina doesn’t score any goal for 17 matches. He was much criticized by Flamengo’s fans but around a year ago the same crowd support him saying that “Obina is better than Eto’o”.

I always thank to Flamengo for everything that happened to me there and that’s why I’m here today. I thank them, but now I wear Palmeiras’ shirt of body and soul. I’ll start a new life and it’ll be very important to me.

Obina has already registered in Libertadores Cup, he’s gonna use #24 that it was used by Evandro (finally he went away) purchased by Atlético Mineiro.

Palmeiras started bad Atlético had been better but when Marques was sent off for putting hand on ball, Verdão grew in the match. Thank God the last year’s story didn’t happen again when Palmeiras needed to win Atlético at home to reach the Libertadores Cup but lost to 1-3.

Even Atlético playing with 3 defensive midfielders Palmeiras attacked with extreme easiness.

Despite Atlético had been restrained they opened the scoreboard with Renan Oliveira after Maurício missed his 1st touch let him down. After 6 matches without goal against. But Leandro (Palestra’s waiter) saved us in his 100th match by Palmeiras after Alex Mineiro passed to him.

I made a mistake and accept the responsibility. I didn’t see when Marques came and I lost the ball control into penalty area that followed Atlético’s goal.

Maurício about Atlético’s goal

In 2nd half Luxemburgo put on Léo Lima and Pierre. The reaction happened and Léo Lima had 2 goal attempts. Then Luxa put off Élder Granja and put on Denílson who was inspired that scored 3rd goal.

Now Palmeiras is gonna face Figueirense FC in Florianópolis.

HIGHLIGHTS

SE PALMEIRAS 3 v. 1 C ATLÉTICO MINEIRO

Palmeiras: Marcos, Maurício, Gustavo and Martinez (L. Lima); E. Granja (Denílson), Pierre (Evandro), S. Silva, D. Souza and Leandro; Kléber and A. Mineiro.
Coach: V. Luxemburgo
Booked: A. Mineiro
Goals: Leandro 43′, A. Mineiro 62′ and Denílson 78′

Atlético: Juninho, C. Prates, Sheslon, Marcos and L. Almeida; Serginho, M. Araújo, Elton (Denilson) and R. Oliveira; Marques and Jael (Castillo).
Coach: M. Oliveira
Booked: Sheslon and Marques
Red card: Marques
Goal: R. Oliveira 31′

Venue: Palestra Itália stadium
Referee: Elmo Cunha (GO)
Attendance: 25,400

At 32 years-old after has played in SE Palmeiras (1995-2000, Paulistão in 96, Brazilian Cup and Mercosul Cup in 98, Libertadores Cup in 99 and Rio-São Paulo tournament in 2000), in AC Milan (2000-2003, UEFA Champions League in 2003, UEFA Super Cup in 2003 and Italian Cup 2003), on loan in Leeds United ( season 2003-2004) and in AC Siena (2004), in Bayer 04 Leverkusen (2004-2007), in MSV Duisburg (2007) and in Qatar’s Al-Rayyan (2008).

He had bid from CR Vasco da Gama, A Portuguesa D and Coritiba FC.

It’s a club that i’ve known and that projected me. I’ve won a lot of titles here, i got a identification with the club and with fans.

I feel good. The conclusion came in good time. I’ve left Palmeiras 8 years ago and i’m very glad to be back.

Now SE Palmeiras is in 2nd place with 46 points only 3 points behind Grêmio FBPA that lost to Goiás EC at home on Saturday by 1-2.

Cruzeiro was debuting Thiago Ribeiro who came from Qatar’s Al-Rayyan. Unusually Palmeiras showed up with 3 centre-backs, 6 IN THE MIDFIELD! liberating both full-backs with Léo Lima and Sandro Silva as defensive midfielders; Diego Souza and Evandro (who played terribly) as attacking midfielders and only Lenny as striker. Palmeiras couldn’t count with Kléber and our topscorer Alex Mineiro ‘cos their suspensions

The match started pretty good with both teams playing well but at 30′ Élder Granja had crossed to Lenny who shot away missing a huge chance.

At 42′ Diego Souza had received a great pass from Jumar and put it in the back of the net.

At 45′ Ramires had passed to Wagner face-to-face with Marcos missed the opportunity.

At 55′ Wagner had free-kicked and T. Ribeiro deflected it with danger.

At 57′ T. Martinelli had been in front of Marcos and the cruzeirense shot Marcos couldn’t get the ball but L. Lima saved us over the line goal.

At 59′ Stupidly Heber Lopes sent off Lenny for tackling T. Martinelli even not touch him.

At 90+1′ T. Ribeiro had given a great shoot who Marcos made a beautiful defense.

We had won ‘cos Marcos showed football of a world champion. The big goalkeeper doesn’t make many defenses. Is that one who made the game’s defense and it was what he did. The last defense remembered me that one against Germany in the World Cup’s final in 2002. I’m very glad for betting on him and on his recovery.

Luxemburgo’s speech after match

On Wednesday Palmeiras is gonna face Vasco da Gama at home for Sudamericana Cup that we lost away for 3-1 but i think we’ll win Vasco even with 2nd team.

D. Souza’s goal

CRUZEIRO 0 v.1 PALMEIRAS

Cruzeiro: Fábio, Jonathan (Camilo 61′), T. Martinelli, Espinoza and Fernandinho (Wanderley 84′); Fabrício, Henrique, Ramires and Wagner; Jajá (G. Magrão 82′) and T. Ribeiro.
Coach: A. Batista
Subs not used:
Booked: Fabrício and Camilo

Palmeiras: Marcos, Gustavo, Maurício and Martinez; E. Granja, S. Silva, L. Lima (Jumar 72′), Evandro (Gladstone 84′), D. Souza (T. Cunha 72′) and Leandro; Lenny.
Coach: V. Luxemburgo
Subs not used: Deola, F. Capixaba, Maicossuel and Jefferson
Booked: Lenny, Gustavo, Maurício, Martinez and L. Lima
Sent off: Lenny
Goal: D. Souza 42′

Venue: Mineirão
Referee: Héber Lopes (PR)
Attendance: unrevealed

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.]

Maybe we’ll have one more player in the squad. The information came out on Monday night but directors of both clubs [include Palmeiras' partner Traffic's CEO Júlio Mariz] deny.

Coritiba’s president Jair Cirino said:

“In fact, we’ve received an offer for him but was in January. The issue finished there. Today Keirrison has played very well. We don’t have interest to sell him.”

In an unofficial manner people connect with Palmeiras’ board of directors ensure Coritiba’s forward will be in Palmeiras untill Brasileirão.