Palmeiras defeats Bolívar with two from Artur and has the best campaign in the Libertadores group stage

This Thursday (29), the palm trees received Bolívar with a tough mission: to guarantee the leadership of Group C of the liberators and the best overall campaign in the group stage of the continental competition. No problems, however: Abel Ferreira’s men did not encounter difficulties at Allianz Parque and won by the score of 4 to 0. Artur was the highlight of the match, with two goals scored.

Already classified before the start of the confrontation, Verdão – for the fifth time in the last six years – goes to the knockout stage with the privilege of always deciding at home: in the round of 16 and, also, in any quarters and semifinals. The big decision, it is worth remembering, will again be in a single game.

Alviverde, therefore, closes participation in the Libertadores group stage at the head of its group, with 15 points conquered: campaign of five victories and one setback. Bolívar, also ranked, was second, with 12 points, four wins and two defeats.

Before the duel began, Abel Ferreira had a big doubt: who to put in the place of the recently injured Zé Rafael, Fabinho or Richard Ríos? The Portuguese coach decided to dare, displaced Gabriel Menino to the role of first defensive midfielder and went with the Colombian athlete in the starting eleven. The strategy, therefore, worked.

Verdão now turns its attention to the Serie A of the Brazilian Championship. At Ligga Arena, at 4 pm (Brasília time) next Sunday, the Palestinian team will visit Athletico-PR — without Bento and Fernandinho, suspended —, in a duel valid for the 13th round of the national dispute of consecutive points.

The game – Aware of the need to go after Bolívar, Palmeiras started the game at full speed. In one of the first moves of the match, Veiga crossed the poisonous ball into the area and Rony headed it high — forcing a great save from goalkeeper Lampe.

Gradually, the visiting team sought to match the actions by retaining possession and betting on quick counterattacks, a strategy soon perceived by Abel Ferreira’s men – who retorted, by giving up speed in the construction of plays to the detriment of calm with the ball.

After a more truncated, studied period of play, Verdão came back to scare Lampe at 23. In a quick attack, Piquerez activated Dudu on the left. ‘Baixola’ played for Veiga, who did not hesitate to cross the ball from outside the area and clear the opponent’s right post.

In the next bid, Alviverde finally opened the scoring. Veiga appeared by surprise to stop Bolívar’s exit and, with a kettle, served Rony inside the area. ‘Rústico’ dominated from the chest, was calm and, upon noticing the rival archer in his direction, played with category for the back of the net: 1 to 0.

At 33 minutes, the home team extended their lead on the scoreboard. With almost all the players in the attacking field and looking for the second goal, Palmeiras rolled the ball to Piquerez. The left-back raised his head and crossed for Artur, alone, to test deep for the goal.

Even before the end of the initial stage, Verdão had another chance to score. At 38, Artur found Rony, and ‘Rústico’ crossed hard into the area. Veiga appeared to head firmly – but the ball stamped the crossbar and hit the line before the danger was removed.

In the second half, the rain tightened at Allianz Parque. Thanks to the synthetic turf, nothing that hindered the show: at 5, Gabriel Menino risked a beautiful kick, with category, from outside the area. Lampe jumped to palm and throw for a corner.

Alviverde kept pressing in the following moments. Piquerez, with a beautiful shot from outside the area, and Rony, with two dangerous headers — one after Luan’s cross and the other after Richard Ríos’s shot — drew cries of lamentation from the stands.

At 30, Piquerez did. The Uruguayan winger took advantage of a pass from Richard Ríos, after a ball launched by Rony into the area, and after parrying with Veiga, he finished it off with a cross – no chances for Lampe.

Shortly afterwards, Veiga — after already providing two assists and looking for his own goal — completed a launch in the small area and forced the Bolívar archer to defend at close range.

Close to the final whistle, Artur scored his second goal of the match. The number 14 received the ball in depth from Dudu, started at speed and hit hard, displacing the goalkeeper: 4 to 0.

DATASHEET
PALM TREES 4 X 0 BOLIVAR-BOL

Local: Allianz Parque, in São Paulo-SP
Data: June 29, 2023, Thursday
Time: 21:00 (from Brasilia)
Referee: Jesus Valenzuela (VEN)
Assistants: Jorge Urrego (VEN) and Lubin Torrealba (VEN)
WAS: Juan Soto (VEN)
Yellow cards: Villamil (Bolivar)

Public: 33.250
Income: R$ 3.309.499,83

Goals: Rony, at 24 minutes of Q1, Artur, at 33 minutes of Q1 and 39 minutes of Q2, and Piquerez, at 30 minutes of Q2 (Palmeiras);

PALM TREES: Weverton; Mayke, Luan, Gustavo Gómez and Piquerez; Gabriel Menino (Luis Guilherme), Richard Ríos (Fabinho) and Raphael Veiga (Jhon Jhon); Artur (Naves), Dudu (Breno Lopes) and Ron
Technician: Abel Ferreira

BOLÍVAR-BOL: lamp; Ferreyra, Jose Sagredo (Algarañaz), Bentaberry and Justiniano; Saucedo (Hervias), Jesús Sagredo, Roberto Carlos Fernández and Villamíl; Fernández (Chavez) and Pato Rodríguez (Cow)
Technician: Beñat St. Joseph