‘Palmeiras seem to have learned to deal with refereeing after 2025’ | OneFootball

Palmeiras thrashed Vitória at Barradão and opened an eight-point lead over Flamengo in the Brazilian Championship title race. It is the biggest gap between the top two teams after 21 rounds played – the Rio side still has a game in hand, against Mirassol.

Refereeing once again took center stage in this Wednesday’s (29th) match. Alex Gomes Stefano was right to send off both Vitória players after a VAR review, and the Bahia club is complaining that Mauricio was not shown a red card ten minutes earlier. The video referee did not recommend an on-field review and upheld the Rio-born referee’s decision to give a yellow card.

Just under a year ago, more precisely in Round 27, Palmeiras came from behind against São Paulo at Morumbi with a decisive call by Ramon Abatti Abel. The penalty not awarded to Tapia after Allan slipped led to pressure on the refereeing that spiraled out of control over Verdão’s remaining 11 matches in the tournament.

The board’s silence proved costly, and the club was swallowed up by narratives of favoritism. It is important to point out here that the lost title also involved a drop in performance at the most decisive moment of the season.

After the Choque-Rei in 2025, the standings had Palmeiras and Flamengo tied on 58 points, with Alviverde on top for having one more win. Now, with six fewer rounds to go, the lead is eight points.

Abel Ferreira’s statement right after the match and Anderson Barros’ remarks at another time, specifically after the draw with Remo in May, show that last year’s lesson has been learned.

Palmeiras’ next matches

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