Zebras in the Brazilian Cup? São Paulo, Corinthians and other giants may suffer

A Brazil’s Cup is traditionally known for its underdogs, and the third phase of the 2023 edition could see big teams like Flamengo, CorinthiansSão Paulo, Cruzeiro and Athletico-PR. Before considered favorites in their duels, the Brazilian giants faltered in the first leg and may say goodbye to the competition this week. It is important to remember that the 2022 finalists are at serious risk of being eliminated early.

The most delicate situations are precisely for Flamengo and Corinthians. In the first leg, both teams lost 2-0 to their respective opponents. The Carioca Red-Blacks were defeated by maringáwhile Timão saw the rowing achieve a great victory in front of their fans. The only asset of the finalists of the 2022 edition is that they both play at home.

To advance, Corinthians and Flamengo need a victory with at least three goals apart. If they beat their rivals by two goals ahead, the place in the next phase will be decided on penalties. Paulistas and cariocas will play on Wednesday, 26, at 21:30 (Brasília time). Fla will have Maracanã in its favor, while Timão will have pressure from Neo Química Arena to change the course of its season.

On Tuesday, the 25th, at 21:30 (Brasília time) two more giants will play their lives in the Copa do Brasil. Athletico-PR was defeated in the first leg by CRB, by 1 to 0, and will try to qualify at Arena da Baixada in front of their fans; a victory by two goals difference will be necessary for the classification of Hurricane.

Another team to decide a vacancy on the same day and time will be the São Paulo. However, Tricolor will not have the strength of the bleachers, since it will decide its vacancy in the Novelli Júnior stadium, home of Ituano. In the first leg, at Morumbi, the two teams were 0-0 and, therefore, whoever wins by any score will advance to the next phase of the Copa do Brasil.

Last but not least, who also draws attention to the possibility of being a victim of a zebra is Cruzeiro. Raposa will play this Tuesday, 25th, at 7 pm (Brasília time), at home, against Nautical and will need to reverse a negative score of 1 to 0. A victory by two or more goals will be necessary to nail the Celeste team’s place for the next phase.

Check out a summary of the scenarios for the giants to flee from the ‘zebras’ in the Copa do Brasil

• Flamengo: Win by three or more goals difference
• Corinthians: Win by three or more goals difference
• São Paulo: Win by any score
• Cruise: Win by two or more goals difference
• Athletico-PR: Win by two or more goals difference

*In case of a tie on the aggregate score, the place for the next phase will be decided on penalties

---