Abel Ferreira boasts a 72.7% record in the Libertadores for Palmeiras | OneFootball

The relationship between Abel Ferreira and the CONMEBOL Libertadores has already become one of the most remarkable in Palmeiras’ recent history. Since the coach arrived at the club, he and his coaching staff have built a high-level campaign in the continent’s main tournament.

In total, there have been 71 matches played, with 46 wins, 17 draws, and only eight losses, numbers that represent a 72.7% success rate.

The performance is also reflected in the team’s campaigns. Under Abel’s command, Palmeiras won two Libertadores titles, finished as runners-up once, reached two semifinals, and made it to the round of 16 once.

A history of leading roles

Since taking over at Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira has turned the Libertadores into one of the main competitions in the club’s project.

In addition to the two titles, the coach has consistently been present in the decisive stages. The team led by the Portuguese manager has rarely been far from the title race and built a level of consistency that placed Palmeiras among the continent’s main protagonists.

The numbers help show the extent of that dominance: in 71 matches, there were only eight losses. In other words, Palmeiras lost just 11.3% of the Libertadores matches played under Abel Ferreira.

2026 is somewhat outside the norm

This year’s edition, however, has brought a situation that is somewhat unusual in the Abel era.

For the first time in a long period of continental prominence, Palmeiras finished the group stage in second place and had to move on to the round of 16 without the advantage of having topped its group.

Even so, second place ended up having an effect that can be considered positive as the knockout stage unfolds. The bracket placed potentially more manageable opponents in Palmeiras’ path, opening what is seen as a favorable route for the team to advance through the decisive rounds.

Eyeing another strong run

Palmeiras host Cerro Porteño-PAR at 7 p.m. (Brasília time) at Nubank Parque in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.