Gustavo Gómez back for Palmeiras at Grêmio after Libertadores ban | OneFootball

Gustavo Gómez returns to Palmeiras duty for Sunday’s visit to Grêmio at 11:00 at Arena do Grêmio in the Campeonato Brasileiro, having sat out the LDU tie through a Libertadores ban.

According to Nosso Palestra, the sanction applied only to the continental competition, so the captain is available to Abel Ferreira for the 28th round.

Despite being ineligible, Gómez travelled to Ecuador and took part in the squad’s preparations. His leadership during the week was appreciated within the group.

In his absence, Abel used three centre-backs in Quito, with Bruno Fuchs, Benedetti and Murilo starting. Palmeiras conceded three, two of them headers in second-half stoppage time. LDU won 3-2 to level the aggregate, but Palmeiras advanced on penalties after two saves by Carlos Miguel.

Gómez’s return gives Abel the option to restore the usual defensive shape, with the line-up to be set after post-trip fitness checks. With fewer than four days between the altitude decider in Quito and Porto Alegre, rotation is possible against Grêmio.

Having not played on Wednesday, Gómez arrives without midweek match load, having trained in Ecuador and stayed alongside the travelling squad.

Abel Ferreira was sent off against LDU but will take charge at Grêmio, and will be absent only for the first leg with Fluminense in the Libertadores semi-final.

The Grêmio meeting is Palmeiras’ final game before a break, with Bahia next on the eighth of October at Nubank Parque.

Source: Nosso Palestra

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”