BERNÔ'S CHEST
1986: A TOP TEAM
This year, after the great campaigns of 82, 84 and 85, Bernô began its journey in the Sé...rie A2 along with 54 other teams, which would only compete for two spots in the Série A1.
Bernô began its journey in the Green Group, along with Ferroviário Ituano (currently Ituano), Nacional, Mauaense, Bragantino, São José, Portuguesa Santista, Taubaté, Cruzeiro (Cruzeiro), União FC de Mogi, Aparecida, Saltense (Salto), Saad (S. Caetano do Sul) and Esportiva de Guaratinguetá.
This phase began on April 6th and ended after 26 matches, in which São Bernardo achieved 17 wins, 5 draws and only 4 losses. They scored 31 goals and conceded only 9, finishing the first phase with the most positive attack, alongside Marília.
In the second phase (Série A), a smaller group, with only 4 participants: Taubaté, Ferroviário Ituano and Nacional, alongside Cachorrão. Bernô qualified as the leader with 3 wins, 2 draws and only one loss. Only one club qualified in this phase, which would define the decisive octagonal for access.
In the first match of the knockout stage, played in a best of 3 format, Bragantino, who had already beaten us in 82, won again: 1 x 0 for them in Bragança Paulista - and Bernô once again lost its place in the final quadrangular. On the return leg, in São Bernardo, 2 x 0 Bernô - Since there was no aggregate score, the big dog forced the third and decisive match, which ended in a 0x0 draw and guaranteed us qualification based on goal difference, on December 14, 1986.
In the final quadrangular, the fight for the two spots was between: Bandeirante de Birigui, União Barbarense, Noroeste and São Bernardo. The dispute began away from home, on "neutral" ground: the Brinco de Ouro Stadium, in Campinas.
On January 31, 1987, Bernô faced União Barbarense. At 13 minutes, Batata, a midfielder for the Santa Bárbara D'Oeste team, scored an own goal: São Bernardo 1 x 0. At 23 minutes, Zé Carlos Paulista extended the lead and started the party in São Bernardo do Campo, 2 x 0. At 37 minutes, Joca scored for the Barbarenses. Even with the entire second half still to play, the score remained the same: Bernô 2 x 1, and the dream of promotion was more alive than ever.
On February 3, 1987, the club's 59th anniversary, Bernô faced Bandeirante de Birigui at the same Brinco de Ouro. In the end, they lost 3 x 1, but the dream of promotion was still possible, since the final phase would define the teams that qualified by points, and not in the knockout round.
On February 5, another defeat. This time, 1 x 0 to Noroeste. The dream was still alive, however, everything would depend on the next match, where the big dog depended solely and exclusively on a victory against União Barbarense, once again. And it came: 2 x 0! São Bernardo was one victory away from the first division of the Campeonato Paulista.
On February 10, 1987, the opponent for the spot was Bandeirante. At 26 minutes into the second half, after a truncated first half, Claudinho suffers a penalty. Bernô 1 x 0. Celebration in the city, celebration for those who went to Campinas. However, at 33 minutes, Osni equalizes for the team from Birigui. The tie still left some chance for São Bernardo, but at 38 minutes, Osni scores again and once again postpones Bernô's long-awaited promotion.
Considered by many to be one of the best squads in the club's history, the setback is attributed to several factors, the main one being the distance from Baetão, where São Bernardo was practically unbeatable in the 80s. It is worth remembering that this year's second division still had important issues in court: with Bragantino and other clubs fighting through legal means, something common at that time.
Even though they did not achieve promotion, the lineup of this fantastic team remains alive in the memory of many Batateiro fans. In the photo, with a FULL Baetão stadium, are our stars: Paulo, Pereira, Claudinho, Zecão, Silvio and Fernando; Pedrinho, Zé Roberto and Luis Freire; Müller, Gilson, Duarte and Silvano. Coach: Zanzibar
For us, always champions! Among 55 teams, São Bernardo came in third place. Unfortunately, only two went up.
Acervo Histórico do Esporte Clube São Bernardo 
EC São Bernardo
adidas
