Brasileirão 2013

[Frosty Jack]

Brasil's Serie A has resumed following the break for Confederations Cup.

 

 

5 games already played, and should be quite an interesting season given that a few of the usual top 6 are struggling, in transition, or in Palmeiras case, relegated. Corinthians are weakened by loss of Paulinho but they'll probably respond well. Sao Paulo are in some disarray following Ney Franco's sacking, likely to be replaced my Muricy Ramalho who has just left scorched earth at Santos, who need to rebuild. Vasco are broke.

 

As a result Botafogo have probably the best chance since their last title in 1995. Flamengo should be better this season under Mano Menezes & Flu are Flu. Gremio should be there and there abouts but have also just changed manager.

 

I'll post updates here if and when for whoever is interested.

 

[Internationinteroperability]

The Brasileirão is without a doubt one of the most exciting leagues to follow. There are always a few big teams performing well below expectations (which is pretty natural as there are so many big teams!) but it's a pretty competitive league. In the last ten years or so, I think that only São Paulo have managed to walk the league once (as well as Flu last season, arguably). I personally remember the nerve-wrecking final match of the season in 2009 when Flamengo hosted Grêmio. We (Mengão) went behind but managed to recover - and in the end Fla won 2-1 as well as the sixth title (yes, the SIXTH, not the FIFTH!). I do think that Grêmio were afraid to win that match though, due to the GreNal rivalry.

 

Ever since I left Rio it's been a bitch to follow the late night matches because of the time difference (at the moment it's five hours!). Not that Fla have been that much fun to follow the last few years (I really miss Vágner Love!), mind...

 

Great thread, Niemeyer!

[Frosty Jack]

Yesterday Flamengo, Grêmio & Cruzeiro could only manage draws, while today was slightly more interesting.

5-3 Inter-Vasco, Santos saw off São Paulo away at Morumbi 0-2, Galo beat Criciúma, & Clarence Seedorf scored the winner for Botafogo against Flu. (Corinthians won away at Bahia but they don't count). Botafogo currently top.

 

Seedorf's goal wasn't particularly interesting so here's this instead.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Y3jDto6ZA

Edited July 7, 2013 by Niemeyer

[Cheesecake]

Thanks N, I randomly pick a game in the streaming sites if there is nothing on, miss football during the summer months here. Unfortunately I'm just sticking a pin in a piece of paper so might be missing what would be classed as the top games as my knowledge of the league is poor. Any insight as to what the upcoming games are is much appreciated so please keep posting your thoughts if you can.

[Frosty Jack]

For games that don't show up on wiziwig.tv, try brasiltvs.com, the streams are not the best, and ad-ridden, but everything is there.

 

Next Saturday: Flu-Inter

Sunday: Corinthians-Galo & Grêmio-Botafogo kick off at the same time with Vasco-Flamengo at the Maracana afterwards.

[Cheesecake]

Thanks N - my source is indeed wiziwig.tv, will bookmark brasiltvs.com for future reference. Thanks in advance mate!

[Frosty Jack]

A friend of mine does this blog.

 

link

 

 

After six rounds, the Brasileirão table has yet to take shape. Many sides are struggling for form, with only four teams in the top ten winning their matches this weekend (and only one in the top five). However, it comes as no surprise that Oswaldo de Oliveira’s Botafogo are leading the way.

 

The current Rio de Janeiro state champions possess three qualities fundamental to form a good team. Firstly, they have an effective tactical system; secondly, they have players with the relevant characteristics and qualities to fit into that system; and finally, they have formed a cohesive team unit.

 

Botafogo defeated Fluminense yesterday in the clássico vovô thanks to superior strategy. Against the current Brazilian champions, Bota were content to position themselves deeper on the pitch, tightly marking Fluminense’s midfield and full-backs and allowing their centre-backs to remain unchallenged, but without any passing options.

 

For years now, Flu’s game-plan has been dependant on the support they receive from the flanks. Their two full-backs, Carlinhos and Bruno (Mariano, in 2011), are the most attacking in Brazilian football and it is their energy and attacking thrust that has so often tipped the balance in Fluminense’s favour.

 

On Sunday that supply line was cut, and Fluminense ran out of ideas. Centre-forward Fred confirmed this after the match, suggesting that they played too much of their football through the middle of the field.

 

Botafogo sealed the 1-0 win with a lovely right-footed strike from Clarence Seedorf, and in the end they were good value for the three points.

 

Seedorf’s Brazilian adventure is now just over a year old, and in that time he has made such a profound impact on this Botafogo team. When Seedorf first arrived from Milan, head coach Oswaldo de Oliveira was worried that he would not be able to fit him into their system. However, after a bit of trial-and-error, Oswaldo stopped trying to fit Seedorf into the system, and instead adapted the system to fit around Seedorf.

 

The Dutchman is the number 10 in Botafogo’s 4-2-3-1, but as he pushes forward or drifts wide, the other three attackers instinctively reposition themselves around him, still managing to maintain their attacking shape. This way, Seedorf has more freedom, he is involved more in the match, and the opposition never get the chance to man mark.

 

At this point, Botafogo is among the strongest and best prepared sides in Brazil, along with Corinthians, Atlético-MG, and at a stretch, Cruzeiro. That is no guarantee that they will form the top four come the end of the season, though. The Brasileirão is a gruelling campaign, with a high volume of games in a short space of time. Often, staying injury free is half the battle.

[Frosty Jack]

Yesterday's game of note, Santos-Portuguesa ended 4-1 with a brace from the 'New Neymar' Neilton.

 

Today São Paulo continued their dreadful run with a 3-2 defeat at Vitoria, despite keeper Rogerio Ceni scoring his 112th career goal.

Galo just beat Corinthians away, single goal by Rosinei, our Bernard with the assist.

Gremio beat Botafogo in 2-1 in a very tight game most notable for this:

 

http://youtu.be/AQSGkVrK3P8

 

 

 

 

Vasco-Flamengo is currently going on here: http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=208380&part=sports

Cruzeiro-Nautico here http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=208382&part=sports

[Frosty Jack]

6 points currently separate 6th place & relegation, with 11 games to go.

Cruzeiro walking it though.

 

 

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BWL4KFRCMAALxio.png

 

 

 

[Cheesecake]

6 points currently separate 6th place & relegation, with 11 games to go.

Cruzeiro walking it though.

 

 

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BWL4KFRCMAALxio.png

 

 

any chance you could post a link that shows upcoming fixtures?