In another Saturday night juggling session, several Brazilian clubs traded positions numerous times tonight. Botafogo of Rio gaining a vital away victory over recent hopefuls Coritiba with a breath-taking strike midway through the second half. With city rivals Flamengo winning earlier in the week they needed all 3 points to keep them in the last automatic qualification spot for the Copa Libertadores. Rio’s other club Fluminense gained a decent draw with League leaders Gremio, a result that leaves Fluminense back in the relegation zone but things down there could not be tighter with the teams above them all on 26 points.
Meanwhile in Serie B Tevez and Mascherano’s old club Corinthians, having been relegated last year due to major problems off the pitch, overwhelmed Fortaleza 3-1 to continue their total dominance in Brazils second tier competition. After a night of trading places the top four remain unchanged with teams from each of the major footballing cities (Rio, Belo Horizonte, Sao Paulo and Porto Alegre) holding down spots in next year’s Libertadores. With more city derbies taking place next week things are sure to change in Brazil’s top football competition.
Robert Fitzpatrick
