Sao Paulo based Corinthians, the current Brazilian champions, are languishing at the bottom of the Brasileiro with one solitary point after their first 5 games. Vasco da Gama, last season’s league runners up have already built up a healthy 12 point lead which has Corinthians fans worried that they may not be able to catch their Rio rivals.
One consolation
for Corinthians fans is that their bitter Sao Paulo rivals, Palmeiras, are
doing just as badly and are also winless after their first 5 games. The two
clubs meet at the weekend at the Pacaembu stadium in what is usually a lively
affair. Palmeiras will be looking for revenge over their Paulista rivals as the
last time they met in the national championships Corinthians won the league
following a goalless draw. As ever the game wasn’t dull with incidents like the
one below.
The Copa Libertadores is South America’s equivalent to the
European Champions League and thankfully for Corinthians their Copa
Libertadores form doesn’t match their domestic form.
After progressing from their group Corinthians overcame tricky
Ecuadorian opponents, beating Emelec over two legs. Since then it’s been a very
Brazilian affair but perhaps not of any great excitement for the neutral.
In the quarter-finals Corinthians overcame their title
rivals Vasco with a 1- 0 victory over two legs and the semi-final wasn’t much
more exciting either. Confronted by Neymar, the golden boy of Brazilian
football and his Santos team, Corinthians came through victorious with a 2 – 1 victory
on aggregate with the aging Danilo scoring to take them through to the final
after Neymar had levelled the tie at 1 – 1.
The final promises much. Boca Juniors are Argentina’s
biggest team made famous by, amongst many, Diego Maradona and will be a big
challenge for Corinthians.
Unlike most European finals, the Copa Libertadores is over
two legs with the first leg taking place in Buenos Aires at the intimidating La
Bombonera stadium next week (27th June). The return leg is on the 4th
July at the Pacaembu. Both stadiums will be rocking for the games and I’m
predicting a Corinthians victory, although it may not be the prettiest!
Vai Corinthians!