Life in the Brazilian Campeonato hasn’t been great recently for the home side with them guilty of inconsistency, especially after last week’s 3-1 derby defeat to Santos at home.
The Pacaembu was packed for the game and Liedson, who is the top scorer this season, missed out due to an injury. The home side lacked an attacking threat in the first half with them struggling to break down the lowly Bahia, who continually put eleven behind the ball.
However, Bahia could have took a shock lead when a corner whipped in found the head of Junior who hit the crossbar with his effort and Julius Caesar saved the followi-up.
Edenilson had a long range effort on the half-hour mark which went close following Alex and William shots, but the two sides went into the break level.
Corinthians came out in the second half continually looking for the break-through but could have fell behind on the 54th minute. Helder crossed in from the left and after the defence had opportunities to clear, the ball fell to Fabinho and his shot went over, when it really should have hit the target.
This woke up the home side and they finally took the lead four minutes later. Fabio Santos crossed and it found its way to Emerson who was able to fire home from eight yards to put Corinthians ahead.
Despite Emerson being sent off for two bookable offences and Bahia’s late pressure to grab an important equaliser, the home side held on. They are now upto second and just two points behind leaders Vasco da Gama.
