By Gustavo Castilho
Cruzmaltino faces Caracas, in Venezuela, Tricolor receives Lanús in São Paulo.
After applying a historic score over Flamengo, for the Brazilian Championship, São Paulo comes packed for the decisive confrontation soon. The team receives Lanús (ARG), in Morumbi, at 7:30 pm, Brasília time, in the return game of the South American. In Argentina, the home team won the São Paulo tricolor by 3-2. Since in the South American cup the away goal has a significant weight, São Paulo can win by a goal difference (up to 2-1) to move forward. If they win by 3-2 the match will go to penalties. A 4-3 victory, for example, eliminates the São Paulo team, as they will have conceded three goals at home. Any victory from the tricolor by two goals difference guarantees the classification. A concerning point for São Paulo fans is that in four playoff games in the year, São Paulo won none. There were two draws and two defeats. In order for that not to happen again, the team counts on the good phase of the striker Brenner, who was the author of the two goals in the defeat for Lanús, in Argentina. Recovered from injury, Hernanes and Juanfran should stay on the bench as an option for coach Fernando Diniz.
In Venezuela, Vasco faces Caracas at 9:30 pm, Brasília time. In the first game, in São Januário, the team won by 1-0, Tiago Reis’ goal. Not conceding a goal was something very important for Vasco since swinging the net in Venezuela means forcing Caracas to score twice or more to qualify. Thales Magno is still a doubt for the game. The striker suffered a trauma in the hip in the match against Goiás, last weekend.
Tomorrow is time for another Brazilian to enter the field for the competition. Bahia receives Melgar (PER), in Salvador. In the first game, the Bahian tricolor lost 1-0. Striker Gilberto is the hope of goals from Mano Menezes’ team.
