Felipe Melo slams Gallardo’s tactics v Palmeiras: “He got it wrong” | OneFootball

This Wednesday at 9:30 p.m., River will visit Palmeiras for the second leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, where they will look to overturn the 1-2 defeat suffered at the Monumental and secure a spot among the top four teams in the Americas, where Racing is already waiting. Felipe Melo, former Verdao player, appeared on TyC Sports, analyzed the first match, and criticized Marcelo Gallardo’s squad.

“The first half was crazy, what Palmeiras did in Argentina, no one expected it. I’m not one to talk about Gallardo, who has won everything. I’m not a coach yet, but I watch football 24 hours a day and I think he made a mistake,” said the three-time Copa Libertadores champion, twice with Palmeiras. “Many times he plays with a line of four in midfield and he took one out to put three at the back. Palmeiras, who are very smart, took out a striker and added another midfielder, so that’s why they were superior in the first half,” he later explained.

“In the second half, Gallardo changed the system, went back to what he always does, and River was much better. The second half gives River hope, and Palmeiras has to keep in mind that they are playing against River Plate. I’m a Boca fan but I’m realistic, and River is a great club. It’s open. Palmeiras has to go into the match as if it’s 0-0 and win because they can’t afford a single minute without concentration,” he continued later.

“I think Brazil is a level above, but in football there is no logic. For example, the Boca team that reached the Copa Libertadores final against Fluminense wasn’t the best, and they still made it to the final, leaving Palmeiras behind. It’s eleven against eleven and anything can happen. What Brazilians need is a lot of humility and respect for Argentine teams, because they know how to play football and are cup specialists,” he concluded.

Melo and the Criticism of Palmeiras’ Coach

Before the first leg against River, Brazil was surprised by the harsh criticism received by coach Abel Ferreira. Felipe Melo, who was coached by the Portuguese manager at Verdao and won the 2020 and 2021 Copa Libertadores with him, defended him and blamed social media. “In Brazil, people talk too much. In the world in general, with social media there are a lot of idiot voices. People who know nothing about football talking as if they did. Ferreira is the greatest coach Palmeiras has ever had, maybe among the top two or three, and he wins every year.”, he said.,

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