A crazy script marked the classic between Petrópolis and Serrano, played at the Atílio Marotti Stadium, this Wednesday (20), for the quarter-finals of the Copa Rio. The game’s score remained zero until the second half’s stoppage time, a result that gave the classification for Petrópolis. To improve their situation, the home team had one more in the 46th minute, when goalkeeper Luiz Henrique was sent off, being replaced in goal by Edmundo Júnior – yes, son of Vasco’s former star, Palmeiras, among others. Even with one down, Serrano managed to score shortly after with defender Diego Macedo, taking the dispute to penalties.
In the penalties, Serrano decided to replace the improvised goalkeeper Edmundo with Diego Macedo, who scored the goal. Petrópolis wasted one of its shots, while the team “without a goalkeeper” converted them all, advancing to the semi-finals of the Copa Rio.
– Very happy, man. What Serrano provides for us is surreal. So we intend to give our lives for Serrano. We were one player short. I say this in the locker room, there are people who believe in men, others in horses, but I believe in the God of miracles. And that’s what God did in the end, He praised a good servant of his, which is me in this case, and all the boys here who are trying to do the right things for Serrano, which is a century-old club and deserves to be in a national competition. We will fight hard for this. – said classification hero Diego Macedo.
The classification resulted in a huge celebration at Atilhão. Watch the video of the players celebrating with the fans.
Our fans once again put on a real SHOW!
You are the reason for our fight! For you we give our lives until the end! #ImpérioDoLeão #LoveForLeão pic.twitter.com/eA4AaxX0Xn
— Serrano Football Club (@serranofc_rj) September 20, 2023
Edmundo Júnior follows his father’s example – as a goalkeeper
Edmundo Júnior’s goal during Serrano FC’s victory recalled a time when his father performed this role, when he played for Vasco. On that occasion, in 1998, Cruzmaltino lost 2 x 1 to Cruzeiro and had archer Tiago sent off after committing a penalty. Edmundo went for the goal and took advantage of the penalty, just following Guilherme’s goal with his eyes.
There were more than 15 minutes with the striker in goal, with unusual moves when releasing a cross and defending a header. At the end of the match, tired, Edmundo cried when giving an interview criticizing the refereeing.
Copa Rio game marked the first “imperial” classic
Founded in 2014 for seven-a-side football, Petrópolis entered into a partnership with Gonçalense, a professional football club, and they only became a club in 2022. With this, Serrano gained a local rival and was able to compete in the “imperial” classic for first time in the quarterfinals of this year’s Copa Rio. The record is already balanced, as each won a match, and the aggregate shows three goals for both.
The imperial name comes from the city of Petrópolis, the place where Emperor Dom Pedro I and his family stayed during the summer from 1822 onwards. Today, the farm where the Portuguese emperor stayed is the Imperial Museum.
These days I talked about who the imperial club would be
Last Thursday, the game that from now on will be known as the “Imperial Classic” took place for the first time
Petrópolis x Serrano are teams that star in the classic
2 clubs from Petrópolis, a city that… https://t.co/DQ7XJZcCNL pic.twitter.com/SEmDmQDxwi
— Football in Rio (@Futebolnorio) September 19, 2023