The year 2023 brought some joys for coach Dorival Júnior. After being sacked by Flamengo at the end of last season, the coach re-emerged at Sao Paulo and reached another Copa do Brasil final. A script very similar to the one experienced at the helm of Santos in 2015.
The story begins at the end of 2014, when the commander was fired by Palmeiras even after helping the Alviverde team escape relegation to the Brazilian championship. At the time, Verdão reported that the change in command was part of a reformulation of the football department. He remained unemployed until July of the following year, when he took over Peixe.
Dorival found the team sunk in Z4, with the worst defense in the Brasileirão. In a short time the coach took Santos to the top of the table.
With good football, the Juventus team managed to reach the final of that year’s Copa do Brasil, eliminating opponents such as Corinthians and São Paulo during the campaign. In the grand final they faced Palmeiras.
Santos were considered the favorites for the match due to the performances they have shown recently, in addition to the momentum they have experienced during the season. Verdão, on the other hand, was evaluated with less clarity in the eyes, given that the team reached the final amidst the frustrating work of Marcelo Oliveira, questioned by the fans.
In the important match, Peixe ended up being defeated on penalties, with cruel finesse, after goalkeeper Fernando Prass’ charge swelled Vanderlei’s goal. In the end, as the coach had prioritized the knockout tournament, he saw the team without a place in the Libertadores via Brasileirão or Copa do Brasil.
Source: Terra
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