Abel plots Palmeiras change for Libertadores decider

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Nosso Palestra

·16 September 2026

Abel plots Palmeiras change for Libertadores decider

Palmeiras held its second training session since arriving in Ecuador’s capital on Tuesday afternoon (15) at Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito. Verdão wrapped up its preparations for the decisive clash against LDU-EQU this Wednesday (16) at 7 p.m. at Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado, in the second leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarterfinals.

Under the guidance of Abel Ferreira and his coaching staff, the squad carried out tactical drills, finishing work, set-piece exercises, and a light scrimmage.

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The session also included three players who had been recovering from injuries. Ramón Sosa, who is being treated for a left thigh injury, Piquerez, who left the match against São Paulo after a heavy challenge to his left ankle, and Mauricio, who is recovering from tendinitis in his right knee, all trained normally with the rest of the squad.

Flaco López and Giay called up by Argentina

After the match against LDU, Flaco López and Agustín Giay will have another important commitment. The two Palmeiras players have been called up by the Argentina national team for the friendlies during the next FIFA window, against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin, all to be played in Argentina.

The call-up is also expected to mark a special moment for the national team, as the matches are set to serve as Lionel Messi’s farewell in an Argentina shirt.

Flaco López celebrated the opportunity and highlighted Giay’s presence on the list.

We’re always nervous until the list comes out, but it’s always an honor and a huge joy to see our names there. Even more so with a friend who’s also going, I’m very happy for him. We’re going to experience a very special moment for our national team and for everyone. So I’m happy and already thinking about the next matches we have here at Palmeiras.

Giay also celebrated the call-up and linked the recognition from the national team to the performances he has delivered at the club.

It’s a source of pride. I always say that when you do things well at your club, you get recognized by our national team, in your country. It’s every player’s goal, to do well at the club and earn a national team call-up. We still have two very important matches here at Palmeiras, and then we’ll think about that.

Giay close to 100-game milestone for Palmeiras

In addition to the call-up, Giay is going through a special moment in a Palmeiras shirt. Scorer of the 1-0 winner against LDU in the first leg at Nubank Parque, the right-back is just one match away from reaching 100 appearances for Verdão.

The Argentine highlighted the importance of reaching that milestone for the club.

It’s a goal you set for yourself when you arrive here: to play many matches, put in good performances, win titles. So that’s it — compete, play — and the truth is that it’s a joy and a very important goal.

Palmeiras defend advantage and clean-sheet streak

After the 1-0 win in the first meeting, Palmeiras only need a draw to secure qualification for the Libertadores semifinals.

In addition to the advantage built at home, Verdão head into the match enjoying their best defensive run of the season. The team has not conceded a goal in four straight matches. The last time Palmeiras went longer without being breached was between April and May 2025, when they recorded five consecutive clean sheets.

Flaco López highlighted the team’s preparation and said the squad intends to use the experience gained last season in its push to qualify.

“It’s a Libertadores match, we know it’ll be difficult, but we prepared well. I think everyone knows what they have to do. We took experience from last year to come back stronger, play an intelligent game, and achieve the objective, which is to advance to the next round,” López concluded.

Palmeiras return to the pitch this Wednesday (16) at 7 p.m. against LDU in Quito. Whoever advances from the tie will secure a place in the CONMEBOL Libertadores semifinals.

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