Abel says Palmeiras lacked ‘inspiration’ and Internacional ‘parked the bus’ | OneFootball

That’s true, it looked like we were the ones with one day less rest. We gave them too much time and space in the first half, for a simple reason. Alan Patrick is a false nine, almost like a midfielder, and the two wingers, one of them a full-back, pushed forward. In short, we gave the opponent too much time and space. Alan dropped deep, our midfielders hesitated, and that hesitation allowed them to have more of the ball. Their shots came more from us giving the ball away, which we shouldn’t be doing. In the first play, Arias loses the ball and they get a chance. Our goalkeeper reacted well and Murilo covered well. That shows how many passing mistakes we made. The second thing is, they came here to defend, with ten men in the box, waiting for us to lose the ball or make a mistake. We ended up drawing, but we lacked inspiration for the better pass, the better cross. I think, technically, we were well below what any of our players can do. The only positive thing is that we didn’t let them play.

There were two factors. First, them. The credit they deserve. They parked the bus in front of goal and waited for transitions. The big chances our opponents had came from passes we can’t afford to give away. The last play shows that. Part of it is their credit, and the other part is our lack of inspiration. It’s a tough competition. Right now, it’s a time for calm, to understand what we need to improve and to know that at home we’ll have to be ready.

Improve the technical side and get the ball in first. If Allan’s shot, the one that hit the player’s backside, goes in, it opens up the game. We have to keep attacking the box. We know there’s room for improvement, and they know it too. Honestly, it was a poorer game than the one against Atlético Mineiro. A team fighting relegation battles as if every match were the match of their lives.

I don’t know if he’ll be back, that’s another issue. Unfortunately, we have injuries we weren’t expecting. But we have to be prepared. Flaco, as I’ll tell you, is a player who is here and will help us. Of course we are waiting. Piquerez was injured and is coming back, Roque too. Flaco arrived two weeks ago and he will help us. I fully accept it. Our fans were fundamental, they supported us and, in the end, they booed. Normal. We have to take it as constructive criticism. And on Wednesday we’ll try to respond in the Libertadores. There haven’t been easy games for a long time.

Look, I think if I share it with you, he won’t be upset. I want so badly to justify the investment. The injury he just had was more about eagerness than anything else. If there’s one good thing about it, it’s that it wasn’t in the leg, an issue that was almost resolved. Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to count on him at certain moments. He’s a player who needs to stay calm and trust the process. These kinds of injuries can happen. It has nothing to do with the old injury, that’s behind him. He will be an option in the coming months. We’re competing on all fronts. And in this competition, it’s extremely difficult and competitive.

View publisher imprint