Week 4 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]
Fluminense 1 x 0 Botafogo:
- Fluminense had a good intensity against Botafogo, with good shot volume (22 shots). However, the team failed to seize the opportunities. In the near future, Fernando Diniz’s will likely improve the shot accuracy and naturally climb up the table.
- Botafogo tried but could not take hold of the ball and pass against Flu, but the team knew how to be efficient. For me, the team trained by Barroca is the biggest positive surprise of this first weeks of the Brasileirão and has achieved good results seeking an offensive football.
Internacional 3 x 1 Cruzeiro:
- Internacional had a good performance of its foreign trio (Guerrero, Nico López and D’Alessandro against Cruzeiro. The trio shot 10 times and generated many goal scoring chances. Special highlight for Guerrero’s performance that even after a long time not playing coming to has been very helpful to the Colorado.
- Cruzeiro created their chances on the right side against Inter. The team was able to finish, but Fred (in contrast to Guerrero) was well marked and only got 1 shot. On the left wing, Pedro Rocha was quite unproductive.
Atlético MG 0 x 2 Palmeiras:
- Atlético was trapped inside the Alviverde defense could not create great chances. Ricardo Oliveira did not manage to find spaces, and was substituted after being injured. Geuvânio was the most active player in attack, but without any concrete resuts.
- Palmeiras played away but shot more than the home team Atlético (16 shots against 10). Dudu, marked by Fábio Santos, found spaces to explore and was quite involved in the action. Zé Rafael performed well in the attack, and Bruno Henrique offered danger as a “surprise element”, scoring 2 beautiful goals.
Corinthians 0 x 0 Grêmio:
- Corinthians made a typical game of Fábio Carille (the 2017 version of the coach). The difference is that in 2017 the team had Jô, who would be able to score the few chances created. Boselli had a lackluster performance and the team improved with Vagner Love (which seems to be the best offensive option).
- The Grêmio controlled the ball and passed more often than the Corinthians but was not efficient. The Gaúcho team managed to finish only from outside the penalty box, and with little danger. To draw away from home is not bad, but Gremio’s initial Brasileirão campaign is below expected.
Santos 3 x 0 Vasco:
- Santos was the team that shot the most in this week (23 shots) and offered much danger to Vasco. Carlos Sánchez played more centralized and perform well, and even though he is a midfielder he was the player with the most shots overall in the week (6 shots). Rodrygo and Soteldo also played great matches.
- Vasco had a worrisome performance against Santos. The team was visibly disorganized on the field, and practically only passed the ball to the sides or in defense defense. Maxi Lopez was very isolated. Luxemburgo, the new head coach, will have plenty of work ahead.
Flamengo 2 x 1 Chapecoense:
- Flamengo showed the strength of its squad against Chapecoense. Many dangerous moves originated on the left, with Trauco and Vitinho playing well. Lincoln was one of the best finishers of the week. Piris Da Motta has proved to be a great defensive option.
- Chape was the visitor who shot the most and had more finishes than Flamengo. Yet, many of the shots were unpretentious. Everaldo has been having a great season, but the team us very dependent on him to create and finish plays. It is worth mentioning that goalkeeper Tiepo made another great match.
Goiás 2 x 1 Ceará:
- Goiás did not pass too much and bet on quick attacks against the Ceará. The team had their best chances with Barcia and Michael building and finishing the plays in speed.
- Ceará tried to create attacks more through passes, but could not involve its center-forward in the plays. Ricardo Bueno did not find space in the first half and only shot from long distance. Roger (substitute of Ricardo Bueno) also did not produce much.
Fortaleza 0 x 1 São Paulo:
- Fortaleza’s main weapon against SPFC was Marcinho, who would sprint on the right side. Fortaleza had enough chances, especially in the first half, however, the team still misses a playmaker who can organize the midfield.
- São Paulo improved a lot in the game against Fortaleza after Hernanes was subbed in. Even playing just one half, Hernanes was the most active player on the team and involved in a lot of passes. Also good to note that Hudson who, playing as a central defensive midfielder as well as a right back, made 3 passes that ended up in shots.
Avaí 0 x 0 CSA:
- Avaí attacked CSA a lot but was unsuccessful in the attack. The team had few chances inside the box, and most of the shots were from long range. João Paulo was involved man up front.
- CSA played very deep in defense against Avaí and tried to play on the counter attack, but did not have great opportunities. The Alagoas team has managed to hold draws but needs to start producing more offensively if they want to remain in the Série A.
Athletico PR 1 x 0 Bahia:
- Praising Tiago Nunes’ Athletico Paranaense is already getting repetitive, and the team played a good match again against Bahia. In this game Nikão had an interesting positioning, playing more advanced and being very productive. Renan Lodi and Bruno Guimarães have also been outstanding.
- Bahia had an unusual pattern against the Athletico. The team positioned themselves and passed the ball more frequently on the right, but most of the dangerous shots happened on the left with Fernandão. The played well, but not enough to overcome the Athletico.
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.