Clássico is a much overused word in Brazilian football. Expanded these days to refer to any middle-sized to big game (Palmeiras (Sâo Paulo) v Botafogo (Rio) for example), in times of great hyperbole an even frothier upgrade is required. Then it’s time to wheel out the old super-clássico staple.
Sometimes though the old ones are still the best. Yesterday, in Salvador, Bahia and Vitória played out a thriller in the 444th Ba-Vi clássico. Vitoria won 3-2, flying into a two goal lead after seven minutes, with goals from the country’s leading marksman, Neto Baiano, and Gabriel Paulista. Bahia hit back with two goals in two minutes midway through the half, from Souza and Gabriel, before Geovanni, once of Barcelona, Man City and Hull, curled in a wonderful free-kick just before the break for a Vitória lead. The second half was nervy though scoreless, and Vitória hung on for the victory.
It’s good news for the romantics, if not for Bahian tricolores. After a rocky start at Vitória, Toninho Cerezo, one half of the Campeonato Baiano’s tribute to the Greatest Team Never To Win The World Cup, now seems to be sailing on calmer waters on the Baia de Todos os Santos. For opposite number, and long time friend and Espanha 82 teammate, Roberto Falcâo, it was a first defeat in 13 games in charge of Bahia.
Brazil´s estaduais are always good places for talent spotting. Bahia´s talented forward Gabriel might be a star of the future. Another worth keeping an eye on is Vila Nova midfielder Rondinelly. a smart, creative midfielder with a keen eye for a killer pass. He scored yesterday as Vila, in search of redemption after a miserable 2011, and slowly climbing the table in the Campeonato Goiano, beat Aparecidense. Goiás, who beat Rio Verde 4-3 in a cracking game, continue to lead the table.
A coach who had been in even greater trouble than Cerezo is Santa Cruz técnico Zé Teodoro. Despite leading Santa to the Campeonato Pernambucano title, and promotion to Serie C, in 2011, last week´s disastrous Copa do Brasil elimination at home to Penarol of Amazonas, coupled with the team´s stuttering league form this year, had left him staring into the abyss. The telephone numbers of a few nearby priests were put on speed dial when Santa trailed Central 1-0 in Caruaru yesterday, but goals from Luciano Henrique and Denis Marque turned things around and allowed Mr. Teodoro to fight another day. Sport continue to lead the table, with Nàutico and Salgueiro filling out the semi-final spots.
Up in Pará, there was vital second win in a week for impoverished giants Paysandu, while in neighbouring Maranhâo traditional heavyweights Sampaio Corrêa, currently in Serie D nationally, lost the first leg of their Campeonato Maranhense semi-final 1-0 to Viana.
A mere 3500km to the south, there were wins for all four of the Campeonato Catarinense contenders: Avai, Figueirense, now coached by 1994 World Cup winner Branco, Joinville and Criciúma, while Londrina, with four wins in four in the “second turn”, are the surprise leaders of the Campeonato Paranaense.
Written by James Young (@seeadarkness). James is the editor of the excellent Tall Coconuts blog looking at Brazilian football news (www.tallcoconuts.com).
