Andreas Pereira and Marlon Freitas, Palmeiras’ most-used duo this season | OneFootball

Midfield has become one of Palmeiras's most settled areas this season. Andreas Pereira and Marlon Freitas are the outfield players with the most appearances for Verdão in 2026, highlighting the duo’s importance to how Abel Ferreira’s team operates.

Marlon Freitas tops the list with 47 matches played, while Andreas has 45, the same number as Flaco López. Between them, only Carlos Miguel, with 46 appearances, comes close — but the goalkeeper is not included in the comparison among outfield players.

This run underlines the two midfielders’ leading role. Marlon has started 17 consecutive matches for Palmeiras, establishing himself as one of the team’s main references this season.

The engines of midfield

Marlon and Andreas are responsible for giving the midfield its dynamism, contributing both to build-up play and to the team’s organization off the ball.

Abel Ferreira’s problem lies precisely in the difference in characteristics and performance between the starters and some of the alternatives available for the position. That is why keeping both players fresh has become an important issue amid the packed schedule.

The concern grows mainly because of the run of matches and the accumulated wear and tear over the course of the season. A possible injury to Andreas or Marlon would represent a significant loss for the team, especially at such a decisive stage of the calendar.

Andreas will play against Santos, but will miss Palmeiras’ Libertadores match

Andreas Pereira will be fully available to Abel Ferreira for the clash against Santos this Wednesday (2) at Vila Belmiro, in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

The midfielder, however, will not be able to play in the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals against LDU because of a suspension handed down by Conmebol. That could make it easier for Abel’s staff to keep the number eight in the starting lineup for the derby in the domestic competition.

Marlon could be rested at Vila

Marlon Freitas, meanwhile, is in a different situation. After 17 consecutive matches as a starter, the defensive midfielder could be given a rest against Santos, especially considering the 3-0 advantage Palmeiras built in the first leg.

That possible decision would not mean the match is unimportant, but rather an attempt by Abel to manage the squad amid a marathon of crucial games.

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