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If Botafogo’s planning predicted that the team would only start the year to be valid from April, acting in a goalless draw against Palmeiras yesterday can be considered not only the debut in Brasileirão, but in the season. And the first impression of the team led by Renato Paiva was very good. In place of the individual brightness that last year was personified in Almada and Luiz Henrique, the promising data is that the structure that was apparently lost in the early months of the year was there, recovered and tuned. And it was worth waiting for a reconstruction after 2024.
– When Renato arrived, he rescued the competition energy we already had. It was a very difficult game here, we knew the difficulty. Missing some things, we had chances to score, now is to focus on the next match-said the Gregore midfield after the match.
With new pieces, Botafogo presented an interesting fit in both the defensive and offensive phase. And it just didn’t come out with the victory because Igor Jesus and Savarino, who had some chances, failed to aim. The point won away from home in the duel between the last two Brazilian champions had, on the other hand, several positive aspects to stand out. But the indivual highlights were the goalkeepers. Weverton made at least four difficult defenses, while Jhon saved Flaco Lopez’s kick at burning clothes at the end of the game.
The structure sent to the field by Renato Paiva has everything to repeat herself in the debut of Botafogo at Libertadores, Wednesday, against Universidad de Chile, away from home. With the maintenance of Patrick de Paula among the holders, the coach formed a lock of socks, in which Gregore helped in leaving the ball among the defenders and was free to step in the area to finish. Patrick and Marlon Freitas supported Vitinho’s climb on the right side, the strongest of Botafogo, supported by Arthur. It was there that the main moves emerged in transition. The triangulation that ended with the touch behind Vitinho and Igor Jesus’s finishing was the most beautiful and dangerous, but Weverton saved.
Defensively, Botafogo set out well for the onslaught of Estevão, Palmeiras’ main weapon. Alex Telles became more planted, had the reinforcement of Savarino, and in the ball stolen the striker also pulled the team to the attack. In addition to arriving to finish, Igor Jesus also participated in the recomposition and made the wall to receive and hold the ball until the team went up at speed. This is how Botafogo surprised at the end of the first half and almost scored with Savarino. Once again Weverton acted.
In the second half, the game had a little less intensity, but Botafogo sustained the offensive presence and did not go back. Palmeiras, however, improved and created some chances, usually in balls raised in the area. In one of them, Vitor Roque came up free to head, but played over the goal. Botafogo responded in the same coin, in Gregore’s header that hit Vitinho’s back. Even pressed the team could leave since the defense to build the plays. With the two well-armed defenses, the air game actually became the most promising weapon. And just like Roque, Igor Jesus wasted one more. At the end of the game, Palmeiras tried a rare long ball on the coast of Botafogo’s defense, who failed and saw Flaco Lopez get out in John’s face. This time, it was the goalkeeper Alvinegro who did the miracle. Uruguayan Santi Rodriguez made his debut in the final minutes, and the team lost some defensive consistency. In addition to the torn, Arthur played a great defensive role. On the departure of Patrick de Paula for the entrance of Newton, Botafogo was also slower in combat.
On the side of Palmeiras, even with the arsenal of reinforcements he played and those who entered, such as Emiliano Martinez and Felipe Anderson, the work of Abel Ferreira is still criticized. Before the match, an organized club made a letter of protest to the coach. The team is still awaiting the debut of Paulinho, who was hired from Atlético-MG. After the loss of the São Paulo title to Corinthians, the pressure is high. At Botafogo, who gave up the state, the year finally started, and it seems to be worth so much for a coach.
– I’m not satisfied with the result, but in fact, I’m sure it is confirmed that it is a group of champions. At various times there were demonstrations of talent. Not only technical but tactical talent. Botafogo returned that honors the fans – said Renato Paiva.
The Portuguese explained the choice for the trio of socks instead of starting with Santi Rodrigues in the match.
– Santi has great talent, great hiring of Botafogo Scout. It comes from a different league and needs time to adapt. It will win this in competition and training. It was not enough to answer a game like this. But then it came in well. It was the best 11 I found to enter this game. This is what my tactical, technical and physical guarantees – justified the coach, who projected the debut at Libertadores excited to defend this title with the new players.
