Week 9 of the Brasileirão is over and we bring you some of the highlights of this week. With the Copa America break, the teams will have time to work and, in some cases, restructure. If you would like a more detailed explanation of the graphs used, please see this text here. Let’s check out the matches! [cover photo credits: Bruno Ulivieri]
[translations to the charts will be available in the near future]
Internacional 3 x 1 Bahia
- Internacional had a good match against Bahia and was able to use Rafael Sóbis as a centralized striker (causing troubles to the opposition’s defense with a lot of movement). Rodrigo Lindoso helped the attack and appeared frequently inside the box taking shots. Patrick subbed in and had a positive impact on the game again, there is a tough fight for a starting XI spot on the team’s midfield (involving Patrick, Nonato and Edenílson).
- Bahia played without their main defensive midfielder (Gregore) and gave away more space than usual to Inter. In the offensive part, the main chances involved Arthur Caike, who played on the right. The attacker usually runs diagonally, seeking spaces in the box to shoot.
- Expected Goals:
Internacional = 1.39
Bahia = 0.9
Fortaleza 2 x 1 Cruzeiro
- Fortaleza won the game by creating many chances on the left side of Cruzeiro’s six-yard box (taking advantage of spaces on the backs of Romero and Dedé). Offensively, the team has a clear idea: the attackers exchange few passes and move quickly in order to end the possession with a shot.
- Cruzeiro again presented problems in all sectors. Overall, the team seems too spaced out, lacking compactness. The attack has created little and the defenders always seem to be overloaded (showing a lack of defensive attitude from the attacking midfielders and wingers). The defensive transition needs to be improved.
- Expected Goals:
- Fortaleza = 1.14
- Cruzeiro = 0.47
Santos 1 x 0 Corinthians
- Santos managed to exert high pressure and did not let Corinthians play. Sampaoli’s team has two fundamental principles: high pressure and play with wide wingers. Whenever the ball is played out wide, the players on the opposing side move towards the penalty area in order to finish.
- Corinthians failed to create against Santos, was the team with the least amount of shots this week (3 shots). In addition, Corinthians’ defense is not as solid as it was in previous years, which makes it harder to apply the very reactive and counter attack focused game model. The team missed Fagner in the game; he could have been an escape valve.
- Expected Goals:
- Santos = 1.58
- Corinthians = 0.12
Botafogo 0 x 1 Grêmio
- Botafogo failed to take advantage of the lack of defenders of the Grêmio (who played with improvised defensive midfielders as centre backs for most of the game). The Rio de Janeiro team attacked mostly through the right side, but could not create many chances. João Paulo was the one who tried the most, but had little support.
- Grêmio managed to create more chances than the home team Botafogo, but could not finish in dangerous zone (central to the goal and near the 6 yard box area). The full-back Juninho Capixaba had a good performance helping the attack on the left side, on passing chains with Vizeu, Tardelli and Jean Pyerre.
- Expected Goals:
- Botafogo = 0.54
- Grêmio = 0.78
CSA 1 x 0 Flamengo
- CSA sold the field advantage (and played in Brasília rather than Maceió, in Alagaos) and practically played as a visiting team against Flamengo. In the absence of Matheus Savio (who could not play due to a contract clause, since he is loaned out by Flamengo) the main team midfielder in the team was Jonatan Gomez. The team also tried (without much success) long direct passes from goalkeeper Jordi to Cassiano and Apodi.
- Flamengo was the team that took the most shots week of the Brasileirão (24 finishing). Vitinho gave an interesting dynamic to the attack and was the top finisher (volume-wise) in this week with 8 shots (although in many cases he had good pass options and could have avoided shooting). The new coach Jorge Jesus will have a good problem to solve: giving enough playing time and finding the best formation with so many good players.
- Expected Goals:
- CSA = 0.26
- Flamengo = 2.12
Atlético MG 1 x 1 São Paulo
- Atlético MG created a lot of chances, but many shots in the draw against Sao Paulo were with very sharp angles. If the team is able to finish from more central zones it will probably score more. Once again, the main player of the team was Cazares, practically all offensive involve the equadorian number 10.
- São Paulo had difficulties in attacking due to a very congested midfield. The team rarely exploits wide areas, and always looks for Hernanes or Pato to create chances. Pablo’s return will likely help the tricolor attack. The main individual highlight was goalkeeper Tiago Volpi, who had important saves throughout the match.
- Expected Goals:
- Atlético MG = 0.96
- São Paulo = 0.33
Palmeiras 2 x 0 Avaí
- Palmeiras did not shoots as much as in other matches, but the great majority of the finishes was of great quality (had the greater xg/shot in the week). Deyverson, Dudu and Zé Rafael move a lot, creating problems and confusions for the opposing defenders. The Palmeiras defense had a great match did not give any spaces to Avaí.
- Avaí did not create any dangerous chance against Palmeiras. The team only managed 5 shots from a long way. The center forward Getúlio was not able to have a single a shot throughout the match. The team needs another style of play to be able to compete and try to bring points when playing at the road
- Expected Goals:
- Palmeiras = 1.34
- Avaí = 0.19
Vasco da Gama 1 x 0 Ceará
- Vasco played with Raúl closer to the defenders, almost as 3rd centre back, allowing the full backs Danilo Barcelos and Pikachu to support the attack and exchange passes with Marrony and Rossi, respectively. Andrey had a great performance in the midfield and helped the team’s buildup. Vasco has increased shot volume, but there is still room for improvement in terms of overall shot quality.
- Ceará had difficulties in playing with a well marked Thiago Galhardo, who is the team’s main playmaker. The team had a few good counter attacks but was not able to take advantage of them. Ceará should train and improve those attacking transition to earn points away from home. Leandro Carvalho could have been more effective and had a below average performance.
- Expected Goals:
- Vasco da Gama = 1.3
- Ceará = 0.45
Chapecoense 1 x 1 Fluminense
- In the Chapecoense all roads lead to Everaldo. It can be through short passes, crosses and or long balls from the goalkeeper Tiepo, the team always creates plays for its main finisher who is one of the tournament top scorers. In addition, Camilo has established himself as the main playmaker of the team.
- Fluminense passed the ball mostly on the left side against Chape. Ganso, Caio Henrique, Daniel and Marcos Paulo appear in that region and buildup the attack. João Pedro has been the biggest hope as a goalscorer, he was the player who took the most shots.
- Expected Goals:
- Chapecoense = 1.29
- Fluminense = 0.56
Goiás 2 x 1 Athletico PR
- Unfortunately the game was not televised, so Instat could not collect match data. In cases like this it won’t be possible to write the analysis.
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.