Brazilian Serie A Weeks 37 and 38

Corinthians capture crown.

In the shadow of club and national team legend Socrates' death, his former club duly collected the 2011 Brazilian Serie A title. A hard fought and tenacious campaign ended fittingly, with Corinthians more consistent and indefatigable than their nearest and only challengers, Vasco Da Gama.

With the run in serving up a feast of competitive football, the odds were always going to be stacked in Corinthains favour.  Tied, with Vasco on both points and goal difference going in, their head to head advantage would have given them the title if it finished that way.  More importantly, Vasco's final quartet of games was always going to be more tricky. And so it proved with Vasco drawing two and winning two while their rivals won three times and only drew once. In the event although both clubs, went unbeaten over that stretch, Corinthians drew one game less, to finish fittingly two points ahead.

In week 35 Corinthians travelled to Ceara and emerged with a creditable 1-0 win courtesy of a late strike from Luis Ramirez while Vasco were held to a 1-1 draw at Palmeiras. That difference in results proved pivotal, eventually proving to be the difference as Corinthians went two points ahead of Vasco, never to be caught again.

The last two weeks provided plenty of frenetic action, as teams at both ends of the table scrambled home.  However, a title race that had developed nicely all season, devolved to a straight sprint between the top two and even that race eventually slowed to a bit of a crawl.  On Sunday December 4, 2011, in round 38, the final week of the league season, Corinthians and Palmeiras drew goalless to ensure that the title moved south from Rio to Sao Paulo.  Vasco and Flamengo had drawn 1-1 earlier in the day, which meant Corinthians would have won even with a loss, but they remained dogged, and ensured they eneded the day unbeaten, but as Champions for the season.

After the final whistle banners unfurled across the stadium in memory of departed great Socrates. Corinthians' campaign, equal parts consistent and crafty has been a perfect send off to the Samba great.

Vasco:

Although the rare feat of a league and cup double remained elusive, their season was easily their best in recent memory with the Copa do Brasil to add to their impressive second place finish. Youth has been the vanguard of their advance.

Fluminense:

A furious finish brought them third after having fallen off the pace early and mired in upper mid table. Despite the six point gap to Vasco, Fluminense's defense of the title was commendableand all the more impressive after the sale of leading striker Dario Conca.

Flamengo:

Disappointing after the middle weeks promised so much. Once the league leader who was playing a combination of successful and swashbuckling football, their late season atrophy proved more than their title challenge could handle.

Internacional:

A campaign of fits and starts, they were never able to put together a winning run for long enough to threaten the top three. Some may call it a missed chance, but to many Inter punched above its weight.

Sao Paulo:

A season brimming with potential that started with the team leading the league after starting like a runaway train. However the summer tournaments stymied a lot of the momentum and by the time September came about, they were a spent force.

Figueirense:

An excellent season as the promoted team remained in the top eight throughout, including, an extended spell in the top five. Just two points from their final four games however, meant they dropped into seventh, a welcome return from a great season.

Coritiba:

Same as above, the promoted team punched well above its weight to follow up its cup runner's up finish with a solid if unspectacular outing in the league. Unlike Figueirense they climbed into the top half from the bottom eight but did so with solid execution from limited talent.

Botafogo:

A disappointment outright. The team from Rio were once top of the league and remained in touch with the top for the better part of the final third. However a complete loss of form, couple with several crushing defeats over the last leg saw them pick up one point from five games and crash down the table from the league summit.

Santos:

Initially the dark horse after their impressive Libertadores triumph but the promise of games in hand flittered away as the team was unable to gain any momentum with constant personnel changes and international callups in addition to the constant speculation linked to stars Neymar and Ganso. In the end they got what their inconsistent form deserved - 10th place.

Palmeiras:

A great start and thoughts of the tile gave way to anaemic offense, sloppy defense and a complete loss of both form and confidence led to one of the season's longest winnign droughts. Palmeiras ceased to be a factor after July and ended their misery with aa slight spurt that saw them nail an eleventh spot finish.

Gremio:

No strikers, weak defending, boring games. It looked morbid at the Monumental and it remained that way as the team conceded as many goals as the relegation fodder while scoring almost as few. A difficult season that will lead to rebuilding over the end of the year.

Atletico Goianiense:

Once expected to challenge for one of the top eight, they started terribly and only righted the ship late in the season. Briefly in the top half they settled back down to 13th, emblematic of their season.

Bahia:

Happy to be back in the top flight, what looked like relegation at one point was escaped with some timely points in the fall. They will look to consolidate and return to the heights expected of one of Brazil's biggest clubs.

Atletico Mineiro:

An abject failure of a campaign. With a deep and talented roster, much was expected of this team. An excellent start was ended emphatically at Sao Paulo before a traumatic drop down the standings saw them round out the relegation spots for most of the season. Only two wins in the last four games saw them escape in 15th spot.

Cruzeiro:

An even worse campaign than At Minieiro, they were expected to challenge for the title but ended up narrowly avoiding relegation. A complete retooling is required as the team searches for its morale, motivation and ability. While they're at it, they should also look for their offense.

At Para, Ceara, America Mineiro, Avai:
At Para aside, the others were expected to struggle and they did. Swift relegations will be disappointing for all four, none more so than At Para who looked like they should be playing in upper mid table.