Injuries prevent Abel repeating Palmeiras back three, ideal trio together only twice | OneFootball

Abel Ferreira has built Palmeiras around a back three since the season resumed after the World Cup, but injuries have repeatedly stopped him fielding his preferred trio for any sustained run.

According to Nosso Palestra, the ideal combination has started together only twice, in wins over Vitória and Coritiba. Physical issues have forced changes almost every match since.

Among the centre backs, only Bruno Fuchs missed out for a reason other than muscular or impact injuries, having surgery for appendicitis. The rest have either been managed or spent time with the medical staff at some stage.

Gustavo Gómez is in physical transition after a thigh injury. The Paraguay captain is progressing in his recovery, but he is not yet available.

Alexander Barboza is treating a foot trauma. The problem also kept him out of the last match and he remains under medical monitoring.

Abel hopes to regain his main defenders in the coming weeks to finally give continuity to the preferred set-up. With a congested programme spanning the Campeonato Brasileiro, Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil, defensive stability is viewed as fundamental in the run-in.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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