São Paulo, Aug 13 (EFE).- A Corinthians side that was not expected to win much won 2-1 on Tuesday in their visit to fellow Brazilian side Bragantino in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16.
Giovane opened the scoring in the 6th minute and Thales Magno increased Corinthians’ lead in the 13th. Bragantino’s discount came after the break with a goal from Helinho.
The team led by Argentine Ramón Díaz knew how to take advantage of the opportunities given to them by a Bragantino team that was eager but suffered from the marking and defense of the Paulistas.
In the first half Corinthians was more offensive, with Thales Magno leading the attack led by Pedro Raul, who almost managed to extend the lead on two occasions.
In fact, the duo was the one who participated in the first goal but the ball ended up going in due to the agility of Giovane, who managed to respond to the rebound of the ball after being defended by Fabricio.
The Red Bull team responded to Corinthians’ offensive with counterattacks.
The clubs exchanged this strategy in the second half, with Bragantino dominating until the end and Corinthians attempting counterattacks.
Bragantino went into the break determined to score with a first attempt by Eduardo Sasha and constant pressure until the end. This pressure paid off in the 55th minute, when Helinho, amid a mix-up in the area, scored the discount for the club from the Red Bull factory.
But, despite the fact that they kept attacking and cornered the visitors, they did not have enough time to equalise and now they are forced to win in a difficult visit to the Arena Corinthians stadium to dream of qualification.
With this result, Corinthians only needs a draw at home in the return match, which will be played next week in the capital of São Paulo, to advance to the quarter-finals.
– Technical sheet:
1. Bragantino: Fabricio; Nathan Mendes (m.46, Thiago Borbas), Douglas Mendes, Eduardo Santos, Luan Candido; Jadsom Silva (m.76, Gustavinho), Lucas Evangelista, Jhon Jhon (m.66, Lincoln); Helinho (m.76, Vitinho), Eduardo Sasha and Henry Mosquera (m.46, Vinizinho).
Coach: Pedro Caixinha.
2. Corinthians: Hugo Souza; Felix Torres, Gustavo Henrique, Caca; Matheuzinho, Raniele (m.46, Ryan), Charles (m.60, Andre Ramalho), Matheus Bidu; Giovane (m.60, Pedro Henrique), Pedro Raul (m.76, Matheus Araujo) and Talles Magno (m.68, Garro).
Coach: Ramon Diaz.
Goals: 0-1, m.6: Giovane. 0-2, m.13: Thales Magno. 1-2, m.55: Helinho.
Referee: Chilean Felipe González. He cautioned Charles, Jadson Silva and Garro.
Incidents: First leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana played at the Arena Nicnet stadium, in the city of Ribeirão Preto. EFE
mat/car
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