After just three matchdays at the start of the new Brazilian Série A season not one single team has managed to win three games from three and maintain a 100% record; such is the fiercely competitive nature of this wonderful league.
In the most high profile match-up of the Brasileirão, Champions Palmeiras hosted rivals Flamego on matchday three. There was absolutely nothing to separate the two sides that the bookmakers have chosen as favourites to lift the league title this season.
The score in São Paulo was 0-0 and both teams only managed 0.64 xG between them. This game was not by any means enthralling or a great advert for the league, but it was definitely an anomaly. Despite not being goals galore this game had its moments and perhaps showed why these are the top two teams in the country, with both cancelling each other out for the most part.
The game was stretched a lot in the second period, but neither team could execute the perfect final ball to make a statement victory early in the season. Perhaps that was the issue; perhaps both sides felt caution would be wise in such a titanic clash at such an early stage.
Palmeiras’ superstar Endrick showed some moments of quality, his close control, dribbling and ability to turn a defender inside out with his back to goal are incredible. Apart from being a finisher he can show blistering pace and brilliant link-up play in the build-up.
His understudy Estevão is only 16 but is being tipped for big things himself, and you can see why. The winger didn’t have a massive impact during his late cameo, but for a young teenager some of the close control and acceleration he showed was impressive.
Palmerias now have one win, one draw and a loss in a laboured start to their season, whilst Flamengo sit joint top of the table on seven points, with new signing Nicolas de la Cruz already scoring twice for the Rio de Janeiro side this season.
Red Bull Bragantino are the only other side with seven points and are top of the league on goals scored. Forwards Vitinho and Thiago Borbas have been very bright in three tricky opening futures against Vasco, Corinthians and Copa Libertadores Champions Fluminense.
Thiago Carpini was sacked as manager of São Paulo after two defeats at the start of the season, but the Tricolor Paulista managed a 3-0 win away at 9-men Atlético Goianiense this weekend.
Former Nottingham Forest man Gustavo Scarpa is back in Brazil permanently with Atlético Mineiro, and he has already contributed a goal and two assists as his side have started the season unbeaten.
Uruguayan Agustín Canobbio of Athletico Paranaense has stolen all the headlines so far though. This weekend against Internacional he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory for the home side but was later sent off. That was after an inspired opening day performance too, when he scored and assisted in a 4-0 Paranaense victory.
Last but not least, 2023 title contenders Botafogo and Grêmio join Paranaense on 6 points. Both sides lost their opening game but have won their last two, with Botafogo smashing Juventude 5-1 this weekend to become the leagues top scorers.
Just one week of football later, we have had three matchdays in Brazil, and it’s fair to say most have had mixed results whilst they find their feet. The likes of Palmeiras, São Paulo and Fluminense are all yet to show the form that saw them win major trophies last year, but that is a testament to the difficult nature of this league.