Fútbolita

via Globo

• Sao Paulo are in the top four of the Brazilian championship after beating Goias 3-1 on Sunday. They’ve won their last five matches and have been unbeaten for the last eight games. Way to go, Tricolor! They started out slow in the early stages of the season and the Libertadores Cup. It’s all smooth now, eh? “The Sao Paulo supporters recognised their team, recognised the football we are delivering and each time I see the Morumbi filling up more,” coach Ricardo said. “It’s been 12 matches in 48 days, in Europe that’s madness.”
• BBQ King Adriano scored his 10th goal of the season to give Flamengo a 1-0 home win over Corinthians in the Maracana. “I missed so many (chances)…I will concentrate more to get it right more,” he said after the game. [See video below]
• Santos drew 2-2 with Avaí. They threw away their early lead, and despite fielding Neymar in the later part of the game, they were unable to get all 3 points. Somewhere, you know Pele is rolling his eyes. Elsewhere, Vitória also managed a 2-2 draw against Fluminense
• Coritiba has sacked their coach Rene Simoes after their 3-1 home defeat in the hands of Cruzeiro. They now lie in 18th place and Rene is the 24th coach to lose his job in the championship this season.

Cruzeiro’s 3-1 win over Gremio on Wednesday was marred by controversial circumstances surrounding Maxi Lopez’s alleged “choice words” at their midfielder Elicarlos.

“Their striker Maxi Lopez called me a macaco (monkey),” Elicarlos declared after the game, adding that the matter would be reported to the police. Lopez was then brought to the police station but authorities admitted that both versions of the story were ‘contradictory’ and that they could only consider Elicarlos’ statements as ‘accusations’.

Daniel Barcellos, who heads the Civil Police of the state of Minas Gerais, said: “(Maxi) argued that a discussion was normal in the stadium and that he did not use derogatory terms. He argued that he was not able to speak Portuguese in this way by ignoring the meaning of the term. “

Whatever the case, it seems to us Maxi Lopez said something to provoke a reaction. In the heat of the game, anything can happen… especially when you’re losing. But racism in futbol is not cool at all!

We hope these Gremio futbolitas aren’t despaired despite their team’s 3-1 loss to Cruzeiro in the Copa Libertadores semi-finals yesterday. There’s always tomorrow and next week… and in Gremio’s case, plenty to drink to!

Wellington, Wagner and Fabinho put Cruzeiro ahead yesterday, despite their opponents having the better chances in the first half.

“It could have been 8-4,” Cruzeiro coach Adilson Batista said. “We gave away a chance that Maxi spoilt, but we also missed some goals. Cruzeiro could have had a fourth goal. We must give credit to the players for their dedication, The Libertadores is not easy.”

Gremio will have to do a lot better to qualify when they play the return leg at the Estadio Olimpico in Porto Alegre next week.

While the rest of Europe were playing to the tunes of the Champions League last night, South America had the Copa Libertadores.

Brazil’s Cruzeiro (above) earned a 1-1 draw against Ecuadorean champions Deportivo Quito. Cruzeiro had two players sent off during the game.

To add to the controversy, Deportivo’s board of directors recently pulled a “Valencia” and stopped making out paychecks to the team. As a result, they went on strike last week but resumed training on Monday on the condition they would be paid by Friday.

Venezuela’s Caracas FC capped off a dramatic night with a shock 3-1 win over Argentina’s Lanus.