Analysis: ‘Abel’s stubbornness and Carlos Miguel error cost Palmeiras’ | OneFootball

Palmeiras stumbled at home again, this time in the Copa Libertadores. The draw in the first leg of the continental competition’s round of 16 once again followed a familiar script for Palmeiras fans.

Abel’s persistence

Abel Ferreira refuses to give up the three-man defense. Even without Gustavo Gómez available for the full 90 minutes, the coach repeated the setup with Barboza, Murilo and Emiliano Martínez. Just like in the draw against Internacional, it failed again. Allan is the only option on the right for individual plays, and the left side is nonexistent with Piquerez, one of the worst players on the pitch. Youngster Arthur is the best alternative for the system.

Abel’s stubbornness with an unproductive setup, especially at home, has already cost the team five points as hosts in the Brazilian Championship and now in the Libertadores as well. It only worked against Fortaleza, a Série B club.

His insistence on sticking with the idea has already led to eliminations in previous years. It is worth remembering that the Portuguese coach overlooked the youngsters during the 2023 Libertadores campaign and only made room for Flaco López and Vitor Roque after the elimination in last year’s Copa do Brasil derby. Is it really worth risking another competition over sheer stubbornness?

Mistakes abound, accountability is missing

Carlos Miguel was the negative figure in the draw. The No. 1 made a glaring mistake on the goal conceded in stoppage time. Against Atlético-MG, he had already been directly responsible for the defeat, not to mention the error in Cuiabá in the match against Fortaleza. The lack of internal accountability in 2025 has already resulted in three runner-up finishes. The lesson is there to be learned and cannot be ignored. Can we really stay calm about qualification, Carlos Miguel?

You can request a song

Palmeiras have played 45 matches this season, three of them against the limited Cerro Porteño, and have not won a single one. Two of those were at home — one defeat and one draw — and there is still one more clash between them to come. It is hard to believe the Paraguayans will change their approach, after all, the method has been effective. On Palmeiras’ side, the coach highlighted a lack of “efficiency,” a recurring excuse to justify another disappointing night.

Worst run of the year

For the first time this season, Palmeiras have gone three straight matches without a win. The poor run comes at a crucial point in the year, as in August the team will play five knockout matches while also juggling the Brasileirão.

Upcoming matches

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