A lot changed as Palmeiras revisit São Paulo after contentious call and Abel outburst | OneFootball

Palmeiras revisit São Paulo with memories of last season’s 3-2 comeback at Morumbis and the controversy it sparked. According to Globo.com, Abel Ferreira believes that fallout shaped the run-in, his side finishing runners-up.

That Choque-Rei brought protests over a penalty not given for Allan on Tapia at 2-0, and a possible red card for Andreas Pereira that never came. The episode later prompted sanctions for referee Ramon Abatti Abel, who let play continue, and VAR Ilbert Estevam, who declined a review.

On 26 November, with two matches left, Abel said that game changed a lot. He insisted he does not live by ifs, yet felt that if the penalty had been given it could have ended 3-3 or 4-3, and he wondered if referees became wary after the official was left under pressure.

He also argued Palmeiras were then denied penalties against Flamengo, Santos and Vitória, with Flamengo a direct rival and eventual champions. That night Palmeiras started Weverton, Giay, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo and Piquerez, Aníbal Moreno, Andreas Pereira, Raphael Veiga and Felipe Anderson, Flaco López and Vitor Roque. Weverton and Aníbal have since left the squad.

Allan and Sosa came on after the break, and the Paraguayan striker hit the winner at 43 minutes of the second half. Sosa called that first derby special for him and said they are preparing to beat São Paulo again. After a perfect Paulistão start, Palmeiras need a reaction following Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to Novorizontino, the heaviest defeat of the Abel Ferreira era.

Source: Globo.com