Could Abel rest players v Grêmio? Palmeiras options in Brasileirão | OneFootball

Palmeiras may make changes against Grêmio on Sunday (20) at 11 a.m. at the Arena do Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship. After a physically demanding match at Quito’s altitude, followed by a penalty shootout and the trip back to Brazil, the coaching staff will assess the players’ physical condition before deciding the lineup.

There is still no confirmation that Verdão will use an alternative lineup. The expectation is that the decisions will be made based on medical tests, recovery data, and the squad’s responses in training.

Abel Ferreira will take part in the preparation, but he will not be on the bench in Porto Alegre. The coach is serving a suspension imposed by the Superior Court of Sports Justice after kicking a microphone in the match against Mirassol.

Why might Palmeiras rest players?

Palmeiras faced LDU on Wednesday night (16) at Quito’s 2,850-meter altitude. The match ended in a 3-2 win for the Ecuadorian side after two goals conceded in stoppage time, and it also went to a penalty shootout.

Verdão won the shootout 4-3 and advanced to the Libertadores semifinals. After the match, the delegation had to travel back to Brazil before beginning preparations for Grêmio.

The next game will be on Sunday morning. That means the available time includes recovery, physical evaluations, training sessions, and another trip, this time to Porto Alegre.

Who could get a chance against Grêmio?

Palmeiras has alternatives in virtually every area of the team. Gustavo Gómez is one of the players with the best chance of returning to the starting lineup. The captain served a suspension in the Libertadores, traveled with the squad to Ecuador, and did not go through the wear and tear of the match.

At full-back, Khellven and Arthur are options in place of Giay and Piquerez. The Uruguayan had already been monitored for ankle pain before the trip to Quito.

Benedetti could also appear in defense if the coaching staff decides to preserve Murilo, Bruno Fuchs, or Barboza. Gómez’s presence allows either keeping the back three or returning to a four-man defensive line.

Each player’s use will depend on physical condition, the game plan, and the final squad list.

Vitor Roque could return to the starting lineup

Vitor Roque started on the bench against LDU as part of the strategy for the altitude. The forward came on in the second half, scored from the penalty spot, and also converted Palmeiras’ first kick in the shootout that secured qualification.

Since he played fewer minutes than most of the starters, the No. 9 is an option to start against Grêmio. Flaco López, who started in Quito, was one of the players put under the greatest physical strain in the match.

Ramón Sosa could also get minutes. The forward was included in the squad again after recovering from a muscle injury and was an option on the bench against LDU.

In midfield, Mauricio only featured in the final part of the match and converted one of the penalties in the shootout. Emiliano Martínez, Larson, and Felipe Anderson are other alternatives if Marlon Freitas, Lucas Evangelista, Andreas Pereira, or Jhon Arias are rested.

Abel is suspended against Grêmio

Abel Ferreira will not be in the technical area against Grêmio. The STJD increased the punishment given to the coach from two to three matches after he kicked a microphone during the draw with Mirassol.

The Portuguese manager already missed the derby against São Paulo and will also be absent for Palmeiras against Grêmio and Bahia. The domestic suspension is separate from the sending-off against LDU, which will rule him out of the first leg of the Libertadores semifinal against Fluminense.

The lineup and strategy will be prepared by the coaching staff, but one of the assistants will be responsible for leading the team from the touchline in Porto Alegre.

Frequently asked questions

Will Palmeiras use reserves against Grêmio?

There is still no confirmation. The coaching staff will assess the physical toll caused by the match in Quito before deciding which players will be rested.

Will Abel Ferreira manage Palmeiras against Grêmio?

Abel will take part in the preparation, but he will not be on the bench because he is serving a suspension imposed by the STJD in the Brazilian Championship.

When is Grêmio vs Palmeiras?

The match will take place on Sunday, September 20, at 11 a.m. at the Arena do Grêmio, with live coverage on Premiere.

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