Week 8 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]
Palmeiras 1 x 0 Athletico PR
- Palmeiras continues to have near impeccable performances. The team created a lot of chances and had no issues against Athletico. Deyverson was more active in this game, and both fullbacks, Marcos Rocha and Diogo Barbosa, once again were very good. Pay attention to the throw-ins by Marcos Rocha, an often underestimated weapon.
- Athletico Paranaense attacked only on the left side against Palmeiras and could not find spaces as it usually does. The Hurricane had the ball for a good amount of time, but was not able to create dangerous attacks. The team missed Marco Ruben (the usual starting centre forward), and Thonny Anderson (Ruben’s substitute) could not work his way through the defense.
- Expected Goals:
- Palmeiras = 1.95
- Athletico PR = 0.19
Vasco da Gama 2 x 1 Internacional
- Vasco won it’s first game in the Brasileirão, playing mainly on the right side with a lot speed. Rossi, the individual highlight of the match, was the player who appeared the most in attack. Andrey had a great game, helping the build up play also appearing at the final third (he deserves to be the starter).
- Inter, who was without a few starting players, tried to play more on the left side, overloading the zone with Sóbis, Uendel and Patrick. The team created several chances but could not take convert them into goals (a draw would have been fair result). On the upside, the team showed they have good options in the squad.
- Expected Goals:
- Vasco da Gama = 1.04
- International = 1.22
Grêmio 1 x 0 Fortaleza
- Grêmio was not brilliant but managed to win. The main merit of the tricolor was to be able to contain the Fortaleza’s attacks. The pair of centre backs performed very well, especially the young Rodriguez. Grêmio also showed that it has a young set of players with potential, as Jean Pyerre and Pepê, who are great options for the team.
- Fortaleza failed to create dangerous chances, and missed their main fast players: Edinho (injured) and Marcinho (rested out). Rogério Ceni’s team could not find space, and Osvaldo’s red card in the second half made the team’s mission more difficult.
- Expected Goals:
- Grêmio = 0.74
- Fortaleza = 0.14
Cruzeiro 0 x 0 Corinthians
- Cruzeiro was able to increase offensive volume (23 shots), with many shots from within the penalty box, but was stopped in great performance of goalkeeper Walter. Robinho was good as a playmakers with 5 passes for shots. The team improved defensively and gave away less space to the opponent.
- Corinthians tried to bet on long balled, aimed at target man Gustagol, in order to beat Cruzeiro, but ended up with a draw. With the absence of Fagner (right back), Danilo Avelar (left back) was the fullback that attacked the most while Bruno Mendez (an improvised centre back playing on the right) was more defensive.
- Expected Goals:
- Cruzeiro = 1.34
- Corinthians = 0.33
Ceará 0 x 0 Bahia
- Ceará had more shots than Bahia, but had less real goal opportunities (has a lower xG than Bahia). Many finishes were from far and tight angles. It is nice to note that the fullbacks (Samuel Xavier and Carleto) are very present in attack often times play as midfielders, helping to give numerical superiority in the midfield.
- Bahia played another game cleverly, and had a chance to get away with the win. The team tried to play on fast breaks, with few passes that were mostly directed towards the goal. Artur Victor usually created the plays for Fernandão or Arthur Caike to finish.
- Expected Goals:
- Ceará = 0.8
- Bahia = 1.26
Santos 3 x 1 Atlético MG
- O Santos foi o time que mais finalizou na rodada (26 vezes), e aproveitou as bolas paradas para vencer. Soteldo e Marinho jogaram bem abertos nas pontas, abrindo espaços para Sasha e Jean Mota no meio. Jorge e Ferraz atuaram praticamente no meio, ajudando na pressão alta do time.
- O Atlético Mineiro teve dificuldades com a alta pressão Santista e cedeu muitas chances ao adversário. Cazares foi o principal jogador (4 chutes 2 dois passes para chute). O time melhorou com a entrada de Alerrandro, que ja pede passagem no time titular, no lugar de Ricardo Oliveira.
- Gols Esperados:
- Santos = 2.68
- Atlético MG = 0.78
- Santos was the team with the most shots this week (26 shots), and took advantage of set pieces to win. Soteldo and Marinho played wide open on the wings, making room for Sasha and Jean Mota in the center of attack. Jorge and Victor Ferraz (fullbacks) played mostly as midfielders, helping in the team’s high pressure.
- Atl;etico Mineiro had difficulties with the high pressure from Santos and gave away many chances to the opponent. Cazares was the main Atlético player (4 shots 2 two passes for shots). The team improved with once Alerrandro was subbed in, he is gaining momentum in his fight for a spot in the starting XI, possibly replacing the experienced Ricardo Oliveira.
- Expected Goals:
- Santos = 2.68
- Atlético MG = 0.78
Avaí 0 x 0 São Paulo
- O Avaí tem muitos problemas ofensivos e novamente produziu pouco jogando em casa, chutou no alvo apenas 1 vez. O time parece não ter uma ideia de jogo definida, fica pouco com a bola e não consegue sair em velocidade nos contra ataques. Pelo menos não levou gol.
- O São Paulo também produziu pouquíssimo no ataque, com apenas 3 chutes no gol. O time não tem conseguido explorar as jogadas pelas pontas, e acaba sempre tentando atacar por áreas muito congestionadas. Pato e Reinaldo foram os que mais tentaram, sem muito sucesso e efetividade.
- Gols Esperados:
- Avaí = 0.48
- São Paulo = 0.53
- Avaí has several offensive problems and again created very little playing at home, shooting on target only once. The team does not seem to have a clear game plan, it does not try to have ball possession and neither can it explore counter attacks. At least Avaí did not concede any goals.
- São Paulo also produced little in the attack, with only 3 shots on target. The team has not been able to have amplitude in attack and explore the wings, always ending up trying to attack through very congested areas. Pato and Reinaldo were the ones that tried the most, without much success and effectiveness.
- Expected Goals:
- Avaí = 0.48
- São Paulo = 0.53
Fluminense 0 x 0 Flamengo
- Fluminense dominated the match in this derby, and was the side with more goal chances. The team attacked mainly through the left side, with Daniel appearing a lot and creating in that sector. Ganso, who is usually criticized for not shooting enough, was the one who had the most finished (5 times)
- Flamengo opted to make more direct and quick play build up, trying to quickly move the ball to Gabriel take a shot. Éverton Ribeiro had a good match in the midfield creating opportunities (4 chances created), showing that he can play both as wide man on the right and centralized.
- Expected Goals:
- Fluminense = 1.18
- Flamengo = 0.65
CSA 1 x 2 Botafogo
- The CSA had good game volume, with many shots, but suffered a come back form Botafogo. The team attacks mainly on the left side, with Carlinhos, Maranhão and Matheus Sávio. Jonatan Gómez fit the team well and was helpful as a playmaker. Cassiano was more active than in previous matches.
- Botafogo had a good match and created more quality chances than the CSA, despite shooting less. The coach Barroca fielded the team using Diego Souza as a center-forward who would drop back and help organize the plays, Alex Santana as a surprise element in the box and Erik as a dribbler through the wings.
- Expected Goals:
- CSA = 1.17
- Botafogo = 1.72
Goiás 3 x 1 Chapecoense
- Goiás beat Chapecoense. Michael played closer to the box and was the player with the most finishes. The team seems to have a clear playing style, Giovanni Augusto is responsible for creating quick attacks exploring the speed of Michael and Barcia, with Kayke appearing in the box for possible passes or second chance opportunities.
- Chapecoense managed to create chances as a visitor, but the team still has some major issues. In defense the team gives a lot of space to the opponent. In the attack, Chapecoense is very reliant and dependent of Everaldo. Camilo played well and brings hope to the team, along with the possible return of Rildo (injured).
- Expected Goals:
- Goiás = 1.16
- Chapecoense = 1.05
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.