Palmeiras and Abel grapple with injuries, suspensions and form before Libertadores decider at Cerro | OneFootball

Palmeiras enter Wednesday’s Libertadores decider at Cerro Porteño still searching for continuity in selection amid injuries and suspensions. They drew 1-1 in the first leg at Nubank Parque and must now finish the job away.

The tie is at 19:00 Brasília time at Estadio Nueva Olla in Asunción. According to Nosso Palestra, Abel Ferreira has not repeated a starting XI since the World Cup break, and Andreas Pereira is suspended after starting the first game.

Paulinho returned from two surgeries on his right leg and was eased back. He started against Atlético-MG for 65 minutes, then sprained his left ankle, missed Vitória, and later rejoined the squad against Fortaleza. He did not train on Monday 17 and now has an adductor injury, one of two current issues alongside Ramón Sosa, also sidelined by a muscular problem.

Suspensions have compounded the challenge. On the Brasileirão restart, Barboza, Khellven, Ramón Sosa and Allan were banned, Jefté was rehabbing surgery and Flaco López was on leave after the World Cup. Against Coritiba, Abel used three centre-backs, wing-backs and a front three of Maurício, Jhon Arias and Ramón Sosa to win 3-1, but could not keep it.

World Cup returnees were phased back, including Gustavo Gómez, Maurício, Ramón Sosa and Jhon Arias, while Flaco López rejoined later after Argentina duty. Vitor Roque was managed through a transition, and Flaco found the net as he regained rhythm. Gustavo Gómez and Khellven are fit again, and Jefté is only due back in 2027 after knee surgery.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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