Analysis: Palmeiras respond well with their best Copinha performance so far | OneFootball

Almanac. Palmeiras gave the response it needed after defeating Monte Roraima-RR with some ups and downs last Monday (5th) and delivered the best performance by any team in the São Paulo Junior Football Cup so far by thrashing Batalhão-TO 9-0 on Thursday night (8th). Eduardo scored four times, Sorriso three, Victor Gabriel, and Coutinho netted the other goals for Palmeiras.

It’s true that Batalhão posed little threat, didn’t even make goalkeeper Aranha dirty his uniform, and has proven to be, so far, one of the weakest teams in this edition of the Copinha. However, Palmeiras showed something that was missing in the first game: attitude, seriousness, and no silly mistakes with the ball at their feet.

Among all the big clubs and title contenders, Palmeiras played the most consistent 90 minutes of the Copinha so far. Even missing young players who are with the professional squad—and therefore not being the overwhelming favorite for the title—it was consistent and solid.

So far, Santos and Red Bull Bragantino—both with two wins—are also strong contenders and have shown good collective and individual qualities. Santos, however, is likely to be weakened for the rest of the competition after the professional management called up three youngsters. São Paulo, another favorite, won both matches but has yet to impress.

Solid performance from start to finish

Launching into attack from the opening whistle, Palmeiras never gave Batalhão a breather, and even found the net in the 14th minute when Sorriso scored past the goalkeeper, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

The team from Tocantins, defying the odds, managed to hold off Palmeiras’ momentum until the 18th minute of the first half. The Military Police team, however, conceded for the first time at 18 minutes, when Sorriso opened the scoring with an individual play.

It didn’t take long for the floodgates to open. At 20 minutes, Victor Gabriel got behind the defense to score the second for the São Paulo side, who extended their lead at 27, when Eduardo flicked the ball over his marker and slotted it between the goalkeeper’s legs. Coutinho and Eduardo again made the first half end with a true masterclass: 5-0.

In the second half, Palmeiras didn’t take their foot off the gas; on the contrary, they maintained their seriousness. At 12 minutes, Sorriso received a pass from Saboia and scored another, before Eduardo shone again. Palmeiras’ number 10 completed his hat-trick at 17 minutes and scored his fourth at 20, with a delicate chip. Sorriso also managed a hat-trick, scoring his third at 43 minutes after receiving the ball in the box and firing high.

What now?

Verdão is well on its way to the second phase. The green-and-white team leads Group 27 with six points (two wins), followed by Monte Roraima-RR and Remo, both with three. Batalhão is at the bottom, still with zero points.

The Palmeiras squad needs only a draw against Remo to qualify—even in case of defeat, they have a high chance of advancing. To be eliminated, they would need to lose to Remo and Monte Roraima would have to thrash Batalhão—Remo and Roraima would need to make up a ten-goal difference against Palmeiras.

Now, Verdão returns to the pitch next Sunday (11th) against Remo, at 11 a.m. (Brasília time) at Arena Barueri for the third round of the first phase of the São Paulo Junior Football Cup.

The Academy Kids are chasing their third Copinha title. In 2022, Verdão won the tournament for the first time by thrashing Santos 4-0 in the final at Allianz Parque, with goals from Endrick, Giovani, and Gabriel Silva (twice). The following year, the second championship came with a 2-1 victory over América-MG in the final at Canindé, with goals from Ruan Ribeiro and Patrick.

See Palmeiras’ upcoming matches in the Copinha:

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.