Abel Ferreira: ‘Palmeiras need to create more’ | OneFootball

Palmeiras drew 1-1 with Mirassol in the Brazilian Championship, and coach Abel Ferreira acknowledged that the team needs to improve its performance to stay at the top of the table.

Hard work is not enough

The Palmeiras manager acknowledged the team’s effort during the match in the interior of São Paulo state, but believes the players can deliver more:

– Palmeiras have to produce more, and why didn’t they produce more? I didn’t train anyone differently from the others. But in terms of the physical side, there is no doubt my team fought and worked hard, but if we make an individual analysis, we can say: this player can give more, this one is at the required level – said Abel Ferreira.

Refereeing under fire

Abel Ferreira complained about referee João Vitor Gobi and the criteria used during the match. The referee even awarded a penalty involving Giay and Fernandinho, but the video assistant referee overturned the decision. He also commented on Arthur’s red card in stoppage time.

– For these matches, we want the best referees. And the criteria are unbelievable. How does Felipe get grabbed around the neck and it’s not even a foul? On the foul on Marlon, he gives nothing and no yellow card. He sends Arthur off. And the same criteria are applied throughout the whole match. It can’t be like that. He provokes those on the bench. In this kind of match, you need the most prepared referees – the coach added.

Vitor Roque

Coach Abel Ferreira also hopes the players will reach better condition and spoke about Vitor Roque’s situation. The No. 9 has still not performed well since regaining his place in the starting lineup.

– Our players need to be in good shape. Vitor Roque needs to recover his best form. We expect a lot from him. Unfortunately, we had players missing through injury in this match. Football is not only about quality, you also need a bit of luck so that no one else gets injured – added the Palmeiras manager.

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