Goalless draw increases pressure for Corinthians and Bahia in the Copa do Brasil

On the eve of an important confrontation for the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, Corinthians visited Bahia this Saturday afternoon (22), in a game valid for the sixteenth round of the Brazilian Championship, inside the Arena Fonte Nova. The match between São Paulo and Bahia had a common objective for both sides, winning and momentarily distancing themselves from the relegation zone. However, the below average performance in Salvador contributed to a goalless draw, not eliminating the danger faced by the teams in the table, aiming at the sequence within the competition.

Control of principals

Making use of the home factor in one of the most important matches of the current season, Bahia was not intimidated by launching the attack, creating some chances to finish. Despite the superior volume to the opponent, the home team was unable to finish the goal with quality inside the area, suffering mainly due to the well-placed defensive system of Corinthians. The best attacks by the Steel Tricolor were early on, with Cauly, getting close twice, both ending up outside. Noticing a clear retreat from the Paulistas, Thaciano dismissed another great opportunity in the 30th minute, after turning on defender Murillo. In addition, the Bahians had a penalty kick on Acevedo’s kick, but it was later canceled by VAR.

More pressure and dangerous result

After some changes made by Vanderlei Luxemburgo, Corinthians managed to change their perspective within the game with the additions of Ruan Oliveira and Adson, who provided more mobility in the offensive sector. The coach’s substitutions even improved the performance of the Paulistas, but those who followed in the initiative to open the scoreboard were the owners of the house. Near the middle of the second half, Gilberto took advantage of the spare after a corner kick and almost surprised Cássio in the deflection of Murillo in the middle of the path.

In one of the few decisions made by the visitors, Yuri Alberto was triggered by Renato Augusto in a quick counterattack, the attacker’s conclusion came out even without an angle, forcing one of the few defenses by Marcos Felipe. Coming to the last minutes of the confrontation, the Bahian team’s insistence almost had its reward, when Thaciano covered up Cássio inside the area and Fausto Vera managed to save on top of the line.

The situation of the two teams in the table had almost no changes, leaving the situation still complicated, in danger of entering the relegation zone in the next rounds. Corinthians reached 16 points and occupies the fourteenth position, while Bahia can be overtaken by Goiás and stay in the Z-4, the team is in sixteenth place with 14. The Paulistas return to the field for the Brazilian Championship on Saturday (29), against Vasco, in Itaquera, at 18:30. Meanwhile, Tricolor de Aço faces São Paulo the next day, in Morumbi, at 11 am.

Featured Photo: Players from Bahia and Corinthians in a fight during the match. Playback/Twitter