The Campeonato Paulista delivered another round of gripping matches this past Sunday, February 9, 2025, with two major matches capturing the attention of football fans.
First, Santos faced Novorizontino at the Jorge Ismael de Biasi Stadium, where the match ended in a disappointing goalless draw. This marked the eighth round of matches for the Paulistão league. Neymar, who returned to the starting lineup after recovering from injury, played for 75 minutes but failed to make significant contributions, frustrating fans who had high hopes for his performance.
Throughout the game, the Santos squad seemed disjointed, struggling to penetrate the Novorizontino defense. Neymar's best moment came when he set up Vinicius Lira for what could have been the winning goal, but Lira missed the opportunity. The draw keeps Santos at nine points, currently third in Group B, behind Portuguesa on goal difference. Santos will next face off against their rivals, Corinthians, on February 12.
Conversely, Novorizontino, who remains competitive with 11 points and sits second in Group C just behind São Paulo, will face Guarani on February 13. Their strong performances, particularly on defense, have kept them firmly positioned for playoff qualification.
Meanwhile, at the Arena BRB, Palmeiras was also unable to secure three points, managing only a 1-1 draw against Água Santa. Flaco López opened the scoring early for Palmeiras within the first three minutes. Still, the team’s struggle to maintain momentum allowed Willen to equalize for Água Santa just after half-time.
Palmeiras, with several key players rested, felt the pressure as they couldn't convert subsequent opportunities. The draw leaves the Verdão with 13 points, teetering just outside the knockout stage spots, trailing behind Ponte Preta and São Bernardo. Their next challenge will be against Inter de Limeira on February 13, where they hope to break back above the playoff line.
The matches highlighted the competitive nature of the Campeonato Paulista, underscoring the difficulty of securing victories as teams jostle for positioning. It was evident over the weekend, as both Santos and Palmeiras faced more than just their opponents; they battled the mounting pressure of expectations as the season progresses.