Against everything and against everyone, Luxemburgo takes Corinthians to another semifinal

The Técnico misses formation and ends up dominated by Estudiantes, but is saved by Cássio, who keeps the team alive in the Sudamericana

Vanderlei Luxemburgo’s unfortunate formation, with Ruan Oliveira replacing Yuri Alberto and Renato Augusto lost playing with his back to goal, in addition to the non-critical performance in the first half, almost cost Corinthians the table, bruised, bombarded and defeated by Estudiantes, but was looking for a place in the semi-final of the Copa Sudamericana on penalties.

With 30 shots and four balls on the crossbar, the Argentines committed the great sin of ignoring that, in the Corinthians goal, there was Cássio, the goalkeeper who grows – even more – in the decisive moments. In normal times the giant had already stopped the famous Rollheiser. And, on penalties, he defended Estudiantes’ position as top scorer. Two more remained on the crossbar.

After opening the scoring less than a minute into the game, Estudiantes pressed, hammered and had enough attacking volume to beat Corinthians. Thanks to Cássio, the caprice of the balls hitting the post and the resilient performance of the couple Gil and Veríssimo, the Juventus team embraced the regulation to take the decision on penalties.

Hard pressed by weak collective performances, Luxembourg suffer only the second defeat in their last 16 games. The script was similar to that of the elimination in the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil for São Paulo, with the difference that, unlike Morumbi’s duel, Corinthians are classified in Argentina.

The manager, a winner for the club in the distant past, is back in charge with a mission to contain the damage after the infamous and very brief passage of Cuca. He has suffered the loss of important players from the squad, such as Roger Guedes, until then the team’s main reference in the season, Adson and, more recently, the good defender Murillo.

In this context, both of the club and of the manager’s career, it is a utopia to believe that Luxa can bring about tactical revolutions or reach a level of excellence capable of transforming a patched-up squad into a collective power. The most realistic thing is what you see on the pitch: bumpy advances.

Thus it was that Corinthians secured a place in the semifinals of the Sul-Americana. This is how Luxembourg remain at the helm and keep their title chances to salvage a bumpy season. Saved from the crossbar and by Cássio, who reaches 32 penalties saved with the Alvinegra shirt. Massacred by the opponent and by the fans. But resistant to the unfavorable conditions of a chaotic club like the team’s performance in La Plata.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.