The Corinthians football team secured its third straight Paulista Championship Sunday (21) but the championship and 2 to 1 win over São Paulo come with a disclaimer: Never has a championship Corinthians team scored so few goals per game. Throughout their season, the team scored 16 goals in 18 games, averaging .89 goals per game.
Of the 49 Championships that club has won in its 109 years, only one was won with less than one goal averaged per game: the 1990 Brazilian Championship. During that season, with 23 goals in 25 games, the average (.92) was still more than the 2019 state championship.
These two championships were won in similar styles. This time, like 29 years ago, Corinthians had a safe goalkeeper - Ronaldo in 1990 and Cassio now. This year the team won in an unusual way, with an economic attack and a number 9 shirt making the title goal—Vagner Love took the role that usually falls to Tupãzinho.
Again, just like three decades ago, Corinthians met São Paulo in the final and ended the dispute with their fans celebrating a title.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon