Analysis: Palmeiras scare by reputation, not by their football | OneFootball

The warning light is on at Palmeiras. The team that got its fans used to dominating the Copa Libertadores, piling up wins, and commanding respect home and away is now living a completely different reality. Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras no longer strikes fear because of the football it plays. It only intimidates because of the weight of the shirt and the greatness of the badge.

Lack of football

The 1–0 defeat to Cerro Porteño at Allianz Parque this Wednesday (20) laid bare a problem that has been repeating itself for months: there is a lack of performance, a lack of attitude, and above all, a lack of football. The team came in under pressure, struggled to create chances, and once again showed technically poor football, with no intensity and no ability to respond.

The result made life more difficult for Palmeiras in the continental competition. Cerro Porteño reached 10 points and will now face Sporting Cristal in the final round of the group stage. Palmeiras, meanwhile, will take on Junior Barranquilla, again at Allianz Parque, needing a win to secure qualification for the round of 16 without relying on other results.

Injuries hurt, but…

The situation is worrying because Palmeiras is not inspiring confidence in its fans. It is true that the squad has been hit by important injuries, but that does not explain the sharp drop in performance. The team no longer competes as it once did, shows no attacking variety, and seems emotionally drained on the pitch. The intensity, a trademark of Abel Ferreira’s teams in recent years, has disappeared.

And the pressure, which should be natural at a club the size of Palmeiras, practically does not exist internally. The coaching staff remains shielded by the board, which insists on the narrative that Abel Ferreira is untouchable. The Portuguese coach has racked up historic achievements and enjoys enormous prestige, but the football currently being played does not justify all this protection.

The feeling is one of complacency. While the team’s performances decline round after round, there is no public pressure from the board, nor any sign of change. Abel Ferreira will remain in charge for as long as he wants — and will leave Palmeiras only when he decides to. Meanwhile, the fans watch a team far removed from the one that used to dominate South America and that today, on the pitch, has become ordinary.

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