Brasileirão’s week 15 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!
Grêmio 1 x 1 Palmeiras
- Grêmio, even with an alternative starting XI, maintained its possession style of play. The tricolor gaúcho completed more passes than Palmeiras and controlled the ball. However, the team struggled to create good scoring opportunities chances. Almost all shots, including the goal scored, were from outside the box.
- Palmeiras also had a clear play style, even with an alternative lineup. Felipão’s team plays a “vertical” game, exploring counter attacks with few passes always towards the goal an. The right side had more players participating in the attack, with Dudu, Veiga and Mayke.
- Expected Goals:
- Grêmio = 0.42
- Palmeiras = 1.29
Fluminense 0 x 1 CSA
- The game that culminated with the firing of manager Fernando Diniz was very representative of his spell at the Fluminense: they dominated the possession, attacked with numbers and had 32 shots (the single game record for the 2019 Brasileirão). Yet, the team was defeated by being inefficient in attack and displaying defensive problems.
- CSA got an amazing results at the Maracanã and had Jonathan Gomez again as the team’s most relevant name. The midfielder, besides being the main playmaker, is also the one who finishes most. During the play that resulted in the goal, CSA explored the large spaces conceded by Flu.
- Expected Goals:
- Fluminense = 2.32
- CSA = 0.27
Corinthians 2 x 0 Botafogo
- The right side of Corinthians has stood out in the post-America Cup with Pedrinho and Fagner supported by Junior Urso. Against Botafogo, Pedrinho was very participative in attack: he shot 6 times and made 2 passes that resulted in finishes.
- Botafogo had difficulties against Corinthians. Cícero was responsible for beginning the plays, but the team failed to exchange passes in attack. Without midfielder Alex Santana, the Rio de Janeiro team had issues creating and left Diego Souza very isolated in attack.
- Expected Goals:
- Corinthians = 1.07
- Botafogo = 0.4
Fortaleza 0 x 1 Internacional
- Fortaleza continues to have Juninho as its main articulator, and all plays go through the central midfielder. The team hired Mariano Vázquez to be the central attacking midfielder, however the Argentine has not been able to be effective and participative in attack.
- Internacional once again played with an alternative lineup, and got a good result away from home. The new signing Bruno Silva appeared more to on the right side, next to Zeca and Sarrafiore. In addition, the team tried to involve Tréllez in the game with long balls.
- Expected Goals:
- Fortaleza = 1.02
- Internacional = 0.53
Vasco 1 x 4 Flamengo
- Vasco had their main chances (and a goal) in set pieces, with Leandro Castán getting headers. Vasco had trouble stopping the rival attack, which always had many players present on its field.
- Flamengo even playing away from home had good offensive volume against Vasco. The team had 13 shots and 10 of them were from within the penalty box. Bruno Henrique played near the 18 yard box and performed really well. Gabriel and Arrascaeta also showed the good level of performance that has become routine.
- Expected Goals:
- Vasco = 0.57
- Flamengo = 1.79
São Paulo 1 x 0 Ceará
- São Paulo had Dani Alves playing as a central midfielder and national team captain was a ball magnet: he was involved in frequent pass combinations with almost all players and was present in the team’s main scoring opportunities. Juanfran also debuted very well, and the team’s main chances were created on the right side.
- Ceará created some good chances but was stopped by goalkeeper Volpi (and a very controversial VAR no-penalty decision). Most of the team’s finishes were from outside the box. Felippe Cardoso has been acting well as a target man up front, receiving long passes and setting up opportunities for players near him.
- Expected Goals:
- São Paulo = 0.7
- Ceará = 0.28
Cruzeiro 2 x 0 Santos
- In the Rogério Ceni’s first match in charge, Cruzeiro had a great performance with many shots made and very few conceded. The team controlled the ball and was very present on the attacking field, with 7 players. Thiago Neves was the player who finished most across all matches this week (8 times).
- Santos had difficulty imposing their style of play against Cruzeiro away from home, especially after an early Gustavo Henrique red card. Sampaoli’s team could not take hold of the ball, and had only 3 shots.
- Expected Goals:
- Cruzeiro = 1.52
- Santos = 0.17
Chapecoense 1 x 0 Avaí
- Chapecoense displayed a “direct” style (few passes always towards the opposing goal) against Avaí. Everaldo and Camilo played near each other and were the main names in Chape’s attack. Everaldo had 4 shots and the Camilo 4 passes that generated shots.
- Avaí had more possession, but had difficulties to attack Chapecoense. The team finished only 5 times, and all shots were wide. Most of the chances involved Caio Paulista, who played wide on the right side.
- Expected Goals:
- Chapecoense = 0.67
- Avaí = 0.32
Bahia 1 x 1 Goiás
- Roger Machado’s Bahia tried to apply the idea of building the play on one side and finishing on the other. The team passed more frequently on the left side, with Juninho starting plays. In attack, who Artur Victor, who played on the right, was the main finisher.
- With Giovanni Augusto injured, Goiás had Marlone as the starter and the midfielder was the one who had the most shots in the match (mainly from outside the box). In front, Michael, Barcia and Rafael Moura were not very participative in attack.
- Expected Goals:
- Bahia = 0.65
- Goiás = 0.52
Athletico PR 1 x 0 Atlético MG
- Ronny was the main name for Athletico PR offensively. Playing on the left side and close to the box, the attacker finished 4 times and had 3 shot-generating passes.
- Atletico MG managed to create more opportunities after Otero was subbed in. The Mineiro team managed to have good socring opportunities playing away, but was not be efficient and did convert the shots into goals.
- Expected Goals:
- Athletico PR = 0.85
- Atlético MG = 1.27
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.