Last round agony for Colorados. They had everything to get the title in 2020-21, but they missed it and they’re the ones to blame.
Colorados started well the season, collecting very few upsets during the first few rounds. However, Coudet’s inexplicable departure after the completion of first half season and a few severe injuries raised serious doubts about the team’s ability to get back on their feet and bring the title race home.
The experienced Abel Braga was appointed, and it seemed a very poor choice, as Braga was coming from unsuccessful projects and had been proved to be outdated, particularly when at Flamengo.
Without Guerrero, Boschilia, Saravia and Moledo due to severe knee injuries, and only having Dourado on the second part of the season, Inter had to find new references on the squad. Edenilson and Patric recovered their best football, but it was Galhardo’s fantastic form from August to November that led Inter into the top of the table.
Eventually, even Galhardo picked an important injury too (calf); it was then the 19-years old Yuri Alberto to step in and grant goals for Colorado to keep the title race alive until the end.
Inter showed lack of experience in crucial moments, having picked some incredible defeats in the final part of the season, notably a home 1-2 upset to the struggling Sport Recife 4 rounds before the end. In the second to last round, Inter lost to Flamengo in a controversial match, having lost leadership to Cariocas. But there was still hope.
The last round saw Flamengo losing to São Paulo, but Colorado wasn’t able to get out from the 0-0 score in home match against Corinthians and the title was gone. A simple goal in that last round would have been enough for Inter to be celebrating at this moment.
