Atlético-MG is one point closer to the title of the Brazilian Championship, which they have not won since 1971. This Wednesday (23), Galo drew 2-2 with Palmeiras at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo, for the 35th round of the competition.
As the leader, Alvinegro was 75 points, eight ahead of Flamengo, in second place, who, earlier this Wednesday, it was also in the 2 to 2 with Grêmio, in Porto Alegre. If they had won, the miners could secure the cup this Sunday (28), at 4 pm (GMT), against Fluminense, at Mineirão, in Belo Horizonte. The conquest can come on Tuesday (30), if the Rubro-Negro stumbles in Ceará, in Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro, at 20h.
The commitment was the last of Verdão before the Libertadores final this Saturday (27), at 17:00, against Flamengo, at Centenário, in Montevideo (Uruguay). Coach Abel Ferreira sent a team made up of reserves to the field, not even listing the main players for the bench. Paulistas have 59 points and appear in third. The next duel for the national competition will be on Tuesday, at 10 pm, against Cuiabá, at Arena Pantanal.
Even without maximum strength, Palmeiras started the game more connected and giving work to goalkeeper Everson, who saved Atlético twice. First at two minutes, in a submission by forward Wesley, on the edge of the area. Then, at 11, with a header by defender Benjamín Kuscevic, after a cross from the right by full-back Gabriel Menino. The pressure paid off at 27. Wesley was launched on the left by striker Gabriel Veron, escaped Guga’s marking in the area and opened the scoring.
The goal woke up Galo, who tied in the 35th minute. Full-back Guilherme Arana tackled defensive midfielder Jair on the left, invaded the area and finished on top of Jailson. Midfielder Matías Zaracho took advantage of the goalkeeper’s rebound and sent it to the first goal, almost in the small area.
Verdão returned better from the break. At seven minutes, the ball exploded in the arm of defender Junior Alonso, in the area. The penalty was scored with the assistance of the video referee (VAR). Midfielder Patrick de Paula crashed, but Everson defended. In the sequence, the goalkeeper did badly in the corner kick and forward Deyverson completed it to the empty goal, replacing the hosts in front.
As in the first half, Galo did not take long to seek equality. On minute 15, Hulk took advantage of the leftover ball away from the Palmeirense defense and dropped an indefensible bomb. The forward, the Brazilian’s top scorer with 15 goals, almost turned at 22, with a header into the crossbar, after a cross by midfielder Nacho Fernández.
At 34, it was almost Palmeiras. Full-back Victor Luís appeared behind the mark, after forward Breno Lopes crossed from the right, but his shot, in the area, went over the top. The teams continued to intersperse opportunities, but the score did not change anymore.
