Abel Ferreira looks to restore Palmeiras' defensive solidity | OneFootball

The coach Abel Ferreira is on alert. The defense, which for much of his tenure at Palmeiras was one of the most secure in Brazilian football, has shown unusual weaknesses in 2025. The Portuguese coach is working intensely to restore defensive solidity, a trademark of his teams since he arrived at Verdão.

In the current season, Palmeiras played 65 games, and in only 28 of them did they leave the field without conceding goals — a 43% "clean sheet" rate. As hosts, the numbers are slightly better: in 31 matches, the team was not breached in 16. However, the most concerning statistic is in the recent phase: in the last 10 games, Verdão conceded goals in 8, totaling 13 goals conceded during this period.

Historically, defensive balance has always been one of the foundations of Abel's success. The team that won the 2020 and 2021 Libertadores, as well as the 2022 Brasileirão, stood out for its compact lines, intensity in recovery, and a system that made life difficult for opponents.

With important decisions ahead, Verdão knows that regaining its defensive strength will be crucial to continue fighting for titles. The mission now is to turn concerning numbers into security on the field.

And now?

Palmeiras faces LDU next Thursday (30), hoping to secure a spot in the Libertadores final. The mission is not easy for Abel Ferreira's team, which suffered a 3-0 defeat in Quito.

In the Brasileirão, Verdão returns to the field next Sunday (2), against Juventude, at Alfredo Jaconi, at 6:30 PM (Brasília time).

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