Week 6 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]
Fortaleza 1 x 1 Vasco
- Fortaleza was able to set up good chances, but ended up drawing against Vasco. Rogerio Ceni’s team is capable of creating good opportunities by attacking with wide players at the wings, opening up the opposition’s defense. The team takes shots at central zones, where the expected goals values are larger.
- Vasco played without a fixed center-forward against Fortaleza and was very close to getting a win away from home. Marrony was at the front, and the team had more mobility. The strongest side Vasco’s attack side in the game was the right side, with Rossi and Yago Pikachu very involved.
- Expected Goals:
- Fortaleza = 1.39
- Vasco = 0.84
Botafogo 0 x 1 Palmeiras
- Botafogo had many difficulties in the match, mainly with the absence of Erik (Luiz Fernando could does not have the same speed and objectivity typical starter). In general, the team was very slow and felt shortage of more decisive squad options.
- Palmeiras pressed Botafogo and had several chances, but few shots were on target. The fullbacks (Diogo Barbosa and Marcos Rocha) had great performance, are fundamental pieces in the transitions. The team rarely passes the ball backwards, has mobility up front and is very objective. The defense was again very well positioned.
- Expected Goals:
- Botafogo = 0.32
- Palmeiras = 2.07
Grêmio 1 x 0 Atlético MG
- Grêmio beat Atletico and was the team that most shot most in this week (22 times). The Tricolor exerted a high press and did not give Atlético room to play. Éverton (the little Onion) remains the main offensive weapon of the team (6 shots in this match). Felipe Vizeu was subbed in and, played well and will likely become a starter.
- Atlético MG had difficulties in overcoming Grêmio’s pressure team and had little space to create chances. The team was stuck in defense and failed use counter attacks. Atlético missed Guga, the fightback who has good attacking work rate and serves as an extra man on the wing.
- Expected Goals:
- Grêmio = 1.57
- Atlético MG = 0.32
Corinthians 1 x 0 São Paulo
- Corinthians won the derby agains São Paulo once again by very efficient. The team was more organized on the pitch and created a good amount of their plays on the right side, with Júnior Urso, Fagner and Pedrinho. The trio moved well and many passed a lot between each other.
- São Paulo despite having more ball possession and passes could not create great chances against its rival. Only one shot (from very far range) was on target. The team did not know how to use the wings and tried playing in a midfield with high population density.
- Expected Goals:
- Corinthians = 0.76
- São Paulo = 0.4
Santos 0 x 0 Internacional
- Santos could not find alternatives to overcome Inter’s defense. The team practically attacked only through the right side, where Rodrygo was positioned. Jorge generally contributes in the attack on the left, but had a below average performance.
- Internacional shot more than Santos and had good chances. The left side, with Nonato, Parede and Iago was the busiest. It’s interesting to see the positioning of the fullbakcs Iago (left) was the mostsupportive in attack while Bruno (right) was more defensive.
- Expected Goals:
- Santos = 0.41
- International = 0.56
Flamengo 3 x 2 Athletico PR
- Flamengo managed a tight win against the Athletico. The defense was less protected without Cuellar in midfield, and gave away many opportunities to the opponent. The main highlight of the team was goalkeeper Diego Alves, who made important saves at crucial moments of the match.
- Athletico PR, who played with its second squad, gave a hard time to Flamengo and could have walked away with a better result. Braian Romero played well, with 3 shots and 2 passes for finishes. Marcelo Cirino, acting as a center forward, was another highlight of the team.
- Expected Goals:
- Flamengo = 0.84
- Athletico PR = 1.35
Cruzeiro 1 x 2 Chapecoense
- Cruzeiro did not take the chances they had and lost to Chape. The main opportunities of the team were with Fred moving outside the penalty box and making room for Thiago Neves and Robinho. In order to fight for the Brasileirão the team will need to bring back the good performances from the beginning of the year.
- Chapecoense attacked infrequently, but was efficient and defeated Cruzeiro away from home. Chape’s main weapon continues to be Everaldo (who receives most of the passes) however Rildo has also proved to be a good attacking option for the team.
- Expected Goals:
- Cruzeiro = 1.14
- Chapecoense = 1.1
Bahia 3 x 2 Fluminense
- Bahia beat Flu and showed that they can win difficult games with intelligence. Against the big traditional teams, Bahia defends itself well and exploits the counter attacks. The cornerstone of this tactical scheme have been the defensive midfielders Gregore and Douglas and the speedy striker Artur Victor.
- Fluminense failed to transform possession into opportunities and was defeated by Bahia. The goals of the Rio de Janeiro tricolor came from sets pieces, and the team overall did not make Bahia’s goalkeeper work. It is important to note that the Agenor’s sending off was very detrimental the team.
- Expected Goals:
- Bahia = 1.13
- Fluminense = 0.75
Avaí 1 x 2 Ceará
- Avaí was defeated by Ceará, even though the team had enough chances to come out with a win. The Santa Catarina side had their dangerous plays on the right side, especially with Caio Paulista and Lourenço connecting with Brenner.
- Ceará won important points against Avaí away. The main weapon of the team has been Thiago Galhardo, who plays as an attacking midfielder shoots very often. Bergson was important in the game, finishing and creating (he started the game as center forward and finished on the left wing).
- Expected Goals:
- Avaí = 1.78
- Ceará = 0.62
CSA 1 x 0 Goiás
- CSA beat Goiás with a good shot volume and had its first win in the Brasileirão. The team attacked mainly on the left side, with Maranhão, Victor Paraíba and Carlinhos appearing in that sector. Didira made a good appearance, cutting inside to the midfield and taking long shots.
- Goiás tried to attack CSA mainly by the left side, but ended defeated. In the Esmeraldino attack, Leandro Barcia, Kayke and Giovanni Augusto passes between each other and shot but were stopped by the goalkeeper Jordi. Michael was not very active and contributed little to the attack.
- Expected Goals:
- CSA = 0.6
- Goiás = 0.36
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.