Analysis: Palmeiras returns to the right track in the Brazilian League and learns important lessons from the historic defeat | Palm trees

The poignant score, repeated 58 years later and rare when the subject matter is classic, could be the turning point for a final phase heading toward gloom. And consolidated the win Palm trees As one of the candidates for one of the direct positions in the group stage of the next edition of CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Title? Not even Abel Ferreira believes in this possibility. Botafogo has nine points and has one game in hand. Making a good impression and securing a place in the Libertadores are two more realistic and tangible goals for the end of the year at Palmeiras.

Abel only promoted one change for Choque-Rei. While maintaining a three-back formation, the coach changed Breno Lopez’s attacking partner: Flaco Lopez made way for Endrik, who was suspended in the win against Coritiba at the weekend.

It shows the intensity of the beginning of the season Palm trees He was able to control the match in the first minutes. In the fifth minute, Richard Reus rose above the Sao Paulo defense and headed in Mikey’s cross and opened the scoring. But the Colombian’s goal was disallowed for offside.

Maintain an offensive presence Palm trees He was able to open the scoring again by exploiting the direct side of his attack. Mike received it from Rafael Vega and sent a low cross to the second post, which Breno Lopez touched down unmarked and gave the home team the advantage.

A few minutes later, Breno Lopez received a beautiful pass from Richard Reus and touched Rafael’s exit to increase the score. In fact, the play illustrates well the ease he found Palm trees To control the play in midfield.

The advantage in the first half gained more strength in the face of the ineffectiveness of Sao Paulo, which failed to score and practically did not frighten its opponent. Moreover, he made childish mistakes such as Wellington Rato’s penalty kick on Zé Rafael in stoppage time. Bakeries has transformed and expanded the Verdau feature.

Hey Palm trees She has become effective again, a trait that Abel Ferreira has demanded for a long time. In total, there were six shots in the first half and three goals were scored with just 39% of possession in the first 45 minutes.

The first minutes of the second half were a demonstration of the return of other important characteristics that were the hallmarks of the national team Palm trees Led by Abel Ferreira. Pressure on the opponent’s ball was helped by the full-backs in the formation with three defenders.

The tactical diversity in attack, with Indrik positioned as a side striker and Breno Lopez more centrally, confuse Sao Paulo’s defence, which lost full-back Rafinha, who was sent off in the 17th minute. In addition, Ze Rafael and Richard Reus were given more freedom to assist Rafael. Vega in midfield.

In the final phase of the match, Abel made changes, putting Marcos Rocha, Fabinho, Artur, Ronnie and Luis Guilherme in the places of Mike, Richard Reus, Rafael Vega, Endric and Breno Lopez respectively. Despite many changes, Palm trees The team continued to dominate the match, especially defensively.

The final hits came on plays that were characteristic of Palm trees During the game. Marcos Rocha received a cross at the second post and turned the victory into a defeat. Bekrez scored, with a rare shot from outside the penalty area, the winning goal for a team that dominated from start to finish and deserved the win.

-I really like this gameplay and sometimes you need to get into the culture you’re used to. Talking about tactics in a country like Brazil is very difficult. The best coach in the world played with four defenders in the Libertadores final against a team with three defenders. But the most important thing is that the players believe in the coach, and the coach believes in the players.

– They are resilient, they knew they would not always win and they should be proud, because they have already written history in this club. They have a legacy and will leave a legacy of many accomplishments over these three years, including this year. We will try to win the next match and the players can have a good time on the pitch – said Abel shortly after the match.

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