Marcelo Oliveira on Palmeiras' 2015 cup win: 'A turning point'

In partnership with

Nosso Palestra

·1 December 2025

Marcelo Oliveira on Palmeiras' 2015 cup win: 'A turning point'

Champion of the Copa do Brasil with Palmeiras, Marcelo Oliveira has not forgotten the atmosphere of the clashes against Santos in 2015. In two dramatic matches filled with many provocations, the green-and-white team defeated their rival on penalties after losing the first game at Vila Belmiro 1-0 and winning 2-1 in the return leg at Allianz Parque.

In a special feature by NOSSO PALESTRA celebrating the ten-year anniversary of the title, Marcelo recalled how the team was treated as the ‘underdog’ before the matches, with provocations from the media and some Santos supporters.

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– That title was important to me. I had already been to three finals and hadn’t managed to win, and at that moment there was this outside idea that Santos was better and would steamroll us. We went and won the title at home and, in fact, we deserved to win in regular time, since we were better than Santos.

Before the last match of the final, Alexandre Mattos, then football director, took the green-and-white squad to Atibaia, in the countryside of São Paulo, something Marcelo says helped the team stay focused. On the day of the game, in one of the biggest celebrations ever seen in the club’s history, the fans filled the streets around Allianz Parque to encourage the team. He recalls what those days and moments before the match were like.

– It was emotional when we arrived, we expected a packed stadium, but no one expected those hundred meters with so much enthusiasm, with fireworks, the players filming, that gave me the feeling that I didn’t even need to say much in the locker room, I think that moment was enough to make us go in with even more will, even more hunger. The fans played a fundamental role in the Copa do Brasil title. – But when the game ended in Santos we were convinced we would prepare a lot. Alexandre Mattos was also important because he took us to the countryside and we had a very good preparation.

Moreover, the provocations throughout the season among the players served as fuel for the Palmeiras squad. In Santos’ 2-1 victory at Vila Belmiro in the second round of the Brasileirão, Ricardo Oliveira taunted goalkeeper Fernando Prass by making a face.

The provocations were even more intensified by the script of the first game. In the first match, held at Vila Belmiro, Palmeiras lost to Santos 1-0, with a goal from Gabigol – who also missed a penalty in that game. In the second half, striker Nilson missed an unbelievable goal for Santos almost on the goal line. Marcelo, however, recalls that he did not use the controversies as fuel, knowing that the players were already aware of them from outside sources.

– At no time did I use anything about Ricardo Oliveira’s provocations, nor did I use journalists’ comments. That wasn’t necessary, there was already a lot of pressure playing the final with that weight for Palmeiras and, after all, the players were already hearing about it (the controversies and provocations) from other people.

Marcelo also spoke about the importance of Fernando Prass, who took the decisive penalty in the shootout. However, he recalled that the goalkeeper practiced this type of kick.

– Fernando Prass didn’t take the decisive penalty by chance. He took it because he was a leader with impeccable conduct. First to enter the field and last to leave. He asked to take them in training and we recognized that he was good at it.

The Road to the Final

Marcelo Oliveira recalled the matches leading up to the final, especially against Internacional in the quarterfinals and Fluminense in the semifinals, both won with victories at Allianz Parque after a draw and a loss in the first legs, respectively.

– Sometimes people don’t talk enough about something important. A knockout competition like the Copa do Brasil has fundamental differences from playing in the Brasileirão and its points system. Sometimes, when you’re losing in the first game, and knowing you’ll have a home game in the return leg, you don’t open up and decide it at home. These combinations are what allow a team to reach the final.

He also says that the club was going through changes with the arrival of Crefisa as sponsor and more than 25 signings for that season. Marcelo joined the club halfway through 2015, after Oswaldo de Oliveira led the team to runner-up in the Paulista Championship.

– We didn’t have a settled team, it was seven months of work and many injuries. We were looking for a team even in the final itself. Full-back Lucas didn’t play, Joao Pedro came in, then he couldn’t continue and another youngster from the academy, Lucas Taylor, came in. Matheus Sales also came on in the final. We knew it was a great opportunity for a title and that it could change the path for many there and for the club as well.

Finally, he spoke about the importance of Paulo Nobre, then president of Verdão, for the achievement.

– He was very important. I worked 21 years as a coach and worked with many presidents and he was the best I ever worked with, for his ease of dialogue, security, balance as a person, all of that together made the club crowned with this title. He was the key to Palmeiras’ resurgence.