Week 7 of the Brasileirão is over and we bring you some of the highlights of this week. If you would like a more detailed explanation of the graphs used, please see this text here. Let’s check out the matches!
[translations to the charts will be available in the near future]
Flamengo 2 x 0 Fortaleza
- Flamengo had a great performance against Fortaleza. The attack in general worked very well. The excellent midfield trio Arrascaeta, Diego and Éverton Ribeiro created several opportunities for Gabriel, who was one of the players had the most shots in this week (6 finishes).
- Fortaleza had many difficulties against Flamengo. Attackers Kieza and André Luis did not have space and participated little in the game. The only one that managed to shott (from a far distance) was the midfielder Juninho. Edinho (injured), who is usually involved in counter attacks, was missed by the team.
- Expected Goals:
- Flamengo = 3.4
- Fortaleza = 0.57
Ceará 0 x 1 Santos
- Ceará lost to Santos after shooting 12 times, but few of those were high quality shots. Thiago Galhardo was the Ceará player who took the most shots, but in many cases he could have passed to better positioned team mates.
- Santos defeated Ceará and the team became more effective in attack after Felipe Jonatan (who usually is a left back) was subbed-in as left wing. The coach Sampaoli was also ambitious and successful by fielding 3 players who are able to progress the ball well in midfield. Special spotlight for the Sanchez’s, who acted played more in attack and generated goal chances.
- Expected Goals:
- Ceará = 0.69
- Santos = 1.53
São Paulo 1 x 1 Cruzeiro
- São Paulo had difficulties against Cruzeiro, and managed to draw due to the excellent performance of goalkeeper Tiago Volpi. Pato was more active in this match has appeared more in the game, but he needs that other players appear near the box in order to find more space and have better opportunities. The offensive overall system needs more volume.
- Cruzeiro drew with São Paulo and took more shots than the home team. Many dangerous finishes (near the 6 yard box), however few chances come at the feet of Fred (the best finisher of the team). Thiago Neves and Marquinhos Gabriel caused troubles to the opposition defense.
- Expected Goals:
- São Paulo = 0.62
- Cruzeiro = 1.18
Botafogo 1 x 0 Vasco da Gama
- Botafogo was the team that shots the least in week 7 (5 shots) but was able to beat Vasco. The team played mainly on the left side and tried to create chances for its main finisher Diego Souza. Erik, usually Botafogo’s main weapon, had little influence on the right side.
- Vasco was able to take a good amount of shots (16 times) against Botafogo, but ended up being defeated. The most effective side of the team was the left flank: Lucas Mineiro (appeared several times in the area and had 4 finishes) and Danilo Barcelos (4 passes for shots). Team performance is improving, but the club desperately needs good results.
- Expected Goals:
- Botafogo = 0.32
- Vasco da Gama = 1.19
Chapecoense 1 x 2 Palmeiras
- Chapecoense was defeated by Palmeiras at home. Despite shooting a good amount (16 times), most shots were long-distance or in headers. The insistence on the aerial balls made the life of Palmeiras’ defenders easier. The team from Santa Catarina will likely improve after the signing of Camilo.
- Palmeiras got the 3 points against Chape and had Dudu again as very influential player. The striker is now playing more towards the left side and near the penalty area, and was once more the team’s main finisher. He is at a great level and keeps on improving.
- Expected Goals:
- Chapecoense = 0.89
- Palmeiras = 1.13
Bahia 1 x 0 Grêmio
- The Bahia has been standing out with good performances recently and beat Grêmio this week. Gregore and Douglas played very well in midfield, protecting the defense and starting the attacks. The fullbacks (Moisés and Nino Paraíba) are very active in attack and are involved in passes with everyone on the team.
- Grêmio still did not manage to impose itself in the Brasileirão and was defeated by Bahia. Pepê was the main player of the team, giving speed and shoot several times. The right side, with Montoya and Jean Pyerre, showed some effort, but it was little for what is expected of Grêmio.
- Expected Goals:
- Bahia = 1.04
- Grêmio = 0.41
Athletico PR 3 x 0 Fluminense
- Athletico beat Fluminense, showing once again that it is one of the best teams in Brazil and knows how to press high. Lots of movement up front ahead with Lucho González, Marco Ruben, Nikão and Rony, supported by Bruno Guimarães and Wellington.
- Fluminense offered little danger to Athletico and was defeated. The team attacked mainly on the left side, always seeking Yony and João Pedro in attack. Many shots in zones that are relatively not dangerous, and some players (especially Yony) can improve their decision making on the pitch.
- Expected Goals:
- Athletico PR = 0.92
- Fluminense = 0.34
Internacional 2 x 0 Avaí
- Internacional defeated Avaí by shooting less (but with higher quality, more xG). Edenílson played wonderfully, being very present on the attacking penalty area. Guerrero is another highlight, usually marked closely, he retreats and helps to create the chances. When the Peruvian has opportunities to score, he rarely misses.
- Avaí was defeated by Inter without creating much danger. The team managed to press high in a few moments, which could be an interesting strategy for the future. Avaí had a high shot volume, but almost always shots were from far away and often blocked by Inter’s defenders.
- Expected Goals:
- Internacional = 1.02
- Avaí = 0.47
Atlético MG 4 x 0 CSA
- Atlético MG bombarded the CSA goalkeeper with 26 shots and won the match. Atlético’s positioning on the field, with Cazares on the left and Chará on the right is very interesting. Fast players, who have good passes and also know how to finish. Alerrandro as a forward gave the team plenty of mobility.
- CSA was defeated by the Atlético and offered little danger. Matheus Sávio and Maranhão were the most active, however the team has difficulties to fit striker Patrick Fabiano in the game. A change of game plan (maybe without a fixed and isolated center forward) would be interesting.
- Expected Goals:
- Atlético MG = 1.75
- CSA = 0.51
Corinthians 2 x 0 Goiás
- Corinthians attacked mainly through the right (which has been the team’s strongest side), with Pedrinho and Fagner. Up in front, Boselli was active during the game, he receive passes and had 3 shots.
- Goiás did not have much possession during the match, and spent most of the time on its defensive field. The team attacked mostly through the right side, and had shots from very far, which were mostly blocked.
- Expected Goals
- Corinthians = 1.21
- Goiás = 0.38
Algolritmo's founder. I have a bachelor's in Computer Science and a master's in Analytics. My goal is to bring a new perspective into Brazilian football. I'm particularly interested in communicating complex ideas through simple data visualizations.
I graduated in Computer Science and Business Administration at the University of Southern California and got a masters degree in Analytics at the same institution. I have worked as a Data Science intern at companies such as Facebook, Itaú and Looqbox.