Abel Ferreira hails CBF calendar, shrugs off Ceni after win: 'His opinion'

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·2. Oktober 2025

Abel Ferreira hails CBF calendar, shrugs off Ceni after win: 'His opinion'

Palmeiras thrashed Vasco 3-0 on Wednesday night (1st) at Allianz Parque, finding their way back to victory in the Brazilian Championship after the setback over the weekend against Bahia. In a textbook first-half performance by the attack, Flaco López (twice) and Vitor Roque secured the three points.

After the match, Abel Ferreira commented on Palmeiras' current situation, Lucas Evangelista's injury, and responded to Rogério Ceni's criticism following Bahia's victory last weekend.

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Speak, Abel!

EVANGELISTA'S INJURY AND SOLUTIONS

I want to dedicate this victory to Lucas Evangelista, a player I learned to admire many years ago when I was still working in Portugal. But you only truly know someone's values when you live with them day by day. He is a super positive leader who means a lot to us. This victory is for him.

– When we signed Andreas, the idea was precisely to strengthen the position of 8, which is his. We already had Alan, we have 27 or 28 players, and we always rely on the youth academy. He came for the role he masters but has always shown himself available to help in other positions. We tried to bring him earlier, it didn't work out, but now it did. He is a vertical player, who breaks lines, has a distinctive pass. I'm glad our president made the effort to bring him – he said.

TURNING POINT AFTER DEFEAT

– The first thing I did was change my shoes because they were all painted green, I couldn't even use them. Then, the reaction was that of a big team. It wasn't the result we wanted, but it was exactly what I expected from my players: an immediate response.

– We won't always win. Away from home, we have been very competent, but we can't win them all. What I asked for was an early goal because we had one less day of rest compared to the opponent. That would give us peace of mind. I leave content with the team's effort and performance – he commented.

SCHEDULE, PITCHES, AND VEIGA

– In my book, I asked for three things: better pitches, a more balanced schedule, and professionalization of refereeing. At the time, I was called annoying, but I must congratulate the CBF for starting to address this. It's difficult to change already established structures, and I welcome it, not just for Palmeiras, but for the good of Brazilian football.

– About Veiga, talking about him is talking about Palmeiras. He feels the club within him. We've been together for five years, four extraordinary ones, and now he's looking to regain his best physical condition. I talk to him openly: ‘when it's your turn to be better, give your best’. He's a champion, and a true champion is never satisfied – he revealed.

ROGÉRIO CENI'S COMMENTS

– I want to be consistent: even before the game, I made it clear that I have a lot of consideration and respect for Rogério Ceni. For me, he is one of the best Brazilian coaches. It's his opinion. I have respect and admiration for everyone, be it him, Diniz, or other colleagues in the profession. I have no problem saying that. In fact, I've already gifted Rogério a bottle of wine. But my focus is always on improving my team so that Palmeiras continues to win – commented Abel Ferreira.

VITOR ROQUE AND LARSON

Roque… he almost seems like a feather, right? I won't say much so as not to spoil it. (laughs)

Larson is a player we have the option to buy. He's a very interesting young player, acts as an 8, has mobility, occupies both sides of the field, and connects the play. He just arrived, still has a lot of time and room for growth. Palmeiras has this ability to capture talents, take care of them, and give them space to show themselves. Whether he will stay with us or be loaned out, we will evaluate. This year it will be difficult for him to play – he concluded.

And now?

With fewer games compared to their opponents, the team currently occupies second place with 52 points, behind Flamengo with 54, and ahead of Cruzeiro with 50. The Cariocas, who will finish the round with one more game compared to Palmeiras, and the Miners, with two more games, face each other this Thursday (2nd) at Maracanã.

Verdão returns to the field for the Brazilian Championship next Sunday (5th) against São Paulo at Morumbi, for the 27th round of the national competition. The match kicks off at 4 pm (Brasília time).