Abel makes sixth Paulista quarter-final, chases Felipão’s record | OneFootball

The Palmeiras takes the field this Saturday to face Capivariano in a single quarterfinal match of the Campeonato Paulista. Abel Ferreira, returning from suspension, aims to maintain a 100% success rate in this stage of the State Championship and could reach Felipão's record in the club's ranking.

The Portuguese coach is one victory away from reaching Luiz Felipe Scolari in fourth place among coaches with the most wins for the club in the competition. Abel has 52 wins compared to 53 for Felipão. Additionally, he is one match away from becoming the seventh coach with the most Campeonato Paulista matches for Palmeiras.

Currently, he is tied with Mário Travaglini, both with 83 matches. Abel is the second coach with the highest win rate among the top 10 who have led the club in the tournament: 62.65%, behind only Vanderlei Luxemburgo with 70.89%, and ahead of Ventura Cambon (62.06%), Filpo Nuñez (61.84%), Mario Travaglini (61.44%), Oswaldo Brandão (59.36%), Aymoré Moreira (52.57%), Telê Santana (51.94%), Luiz Felipe Scolari (51.45%), and Rubens Minelli (41.73%).

Abel Ferreira reached a historic milestone at Palmeiras

This week, Abel Ferreira celebrated a historic milestone in Brazilian football and at Palmeiras. He became the fifth longest-serving coach in the history of the sport in the country. With a tenure of five years, three months, and 15 days at the helm of Palmeiras, the Portuguese coach surpassed the legendary Telê Santana, who led São Paulo for five years, three months, and 14 days between 1990 and 1996.

At Palmeiras since October 2020, Abel is leading the club in his sixth consecutive Campeonato Paulista. He managed to take Verdão to five finals and won three titles (2022, 2023, and 2024). After two seasons without a title, the coach, who has a contract until the end of 2027, is trying to win a trophy again.

Palmeiras' Situation

Palmeiras advanced to the quarterfinals of the Paulista with two rounds to spare. In their last commitment of the first phase, Verdão drew 1-1 with Guarani in Barueri, with a goal by Flaco López, securing the overall second place.

With the second-best campaign, the team led by Abel Ferreira won five, drew one, and lost two matches. The team's top scorer is Flaco López, with four goals scored. Palmeiras is heading into their 16th consecutive quarterfinal and is trying to maintain their unbeaten streak this season, which currently stands at four games.

Quarterfinal Details

Match: Palmeiras vs. Capivariano Competition: Campeonato Paulista (Quarterfinals) Date and Time: February 21, 2026 (Saturday), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) Location: Arena Crefisa Barueri, in Barueri (SP)

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