Portuguese derby: Palmeiras vs Corinthians represents the first duel between Abel Ferreira and Vitor Pereira | Paulista Championship

While Abel Ferreira, 43, has been working at Verdao for a year and a half and won four titles, Vitor Pereira, 53, is now starting his business at Timão.

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Although they are citizens, they have not had the opportunity to meet each other in Europe and they do not even have a friendship relationship. But there is respect between them.

When Abel started working at Braga, in 2017, Vítor had already distinguished himself against Porto and left Portugal. The Verdau captain, in 2019, went to Greece to work at PAOK, while the Corinthian coach passed through Greek football between 2014 and 2015, when he took charge of Olympiacos.

Although the two are not close, it is common in Portugal for coaches to exchange information, and so the contacts between them took place in Europe, to talk about the players.

One has already sought out the other to get to know specific athletes better, But since Vitor Pereira arrived in Brazil, they have not had the opportunity to speak.

– (Vitor Pereira) is a coach with an impressive approach, Brazilian internationals at his disposal, players who have played in the best teams in Europe, like Barcelona and Chelsea, he has a great squad – Abel said in a press conference after Victory over Santos.

Vitor Pereira, who was still in Portugal, when he was sailing to Brazil, also praised Abel Ferreira in a question about the work of other Portuguese in Brazilian football.

Abel Ferreira is a great coach, Paulo Sousa too. But I am, I will not compare myself to anyone. Each has its own characteristics. “I like to make my fans happy,” Vitor said.

In addition to mutual respect, there are similarities in their work. First to speak. The two Portuguese appear to be persistent in their ideas.

We will continue to do what matters to us, the way we play. It’s going to be a great derby, and I hope it can be played within the four lines. I hope our fans respect the opponent and help us win within the four lines – said Abel.

– I’ll start studying Palm trees Maybe tonight. The intention should be that in order to create an identity, we cannot change, we cannot be that way. We have to believe in the process as it evolves, Vitor said.

The strong personality is another similarity between the two. Abel Ferreira is already well known in Brazilian football for his density on the sidelines, and the pile-up of leaves. On the other hand, Vitor Pereira assumed he was “a little crazy”.

In the field, there is an expectation of encountering different tactical behaviors. a Palm treeswho has shown different faces in 2022, is strong as he seeks to explore more spaces, transitions, and Corinthians He scored more goals up front, with more possession. However, coaches also have common traits in the game.

In his first match for CorinthiansAgainst Sao Paulo, Vitor Pereira presented a three-man defensive line, something that Abel Ferreira often used in his Palm trees. In front of Ponte Preta, in the final stage of the 5-0 defeat, Timao coach still put Wagner to the left of this line. Palmeirense coach also used Marcos Rocha or Pequerez, for example, in the departure of the three.

Tele Santana is the other important figure who creates a connection between coaches. The historic Brazilian coach was mentioned by Abel Ferreira and Vitor Pereira.

– I remember the Brazilian selections, some great, which made me cry. Regarding the club, Tele Santana, his teams … Tele, Cruyff, Arrigo Sacchi, Guardiola, were people who saw football progressing further – Corinthian coach said.

– Here at home I have a book by Telê Santana. I bought it when I was in Brazil. We can learn from all coaches. Not only the Portuguese – Abel said in an interview with Seleção Sportv.

The distance between Pinavel, birthplace of Abel Ferreira, and Espinho, by Vitor Pereira, is about 36 km. From Portugal to São Paulo, about 8000 km. But this is where they will meet for the first time in their career.

One with more resumes in Europe, another two-time Libertadores champion in South America, one getting started and the other already unified.

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Palm treeswith 26 points, and Corinthians, with 20, has the two best campaigns in Paulistão. Abel Ferreira’s team needs just one more point in the remaining two games to take first place overall.

On the other hand, Vitor Pereira’s side have to win both games, hoping that the opponent will not add more points, in addition to the need to take the current three-goal difference in the balance to go to the quarter-finals as the best team. .