Palmeiras back after cup win, Gómez: ‘We’re improving each game’

In partnership with

Nosso Palestra

·2 March 2026

Palmeiras back after cup win, Gómez: ‘We’re improving each game’

Palmeiras returned to training on the morning of this Monday (02), at the Football Academy, after the 2-1 victory over São Paulo on Sunday (01), at Arena Crefisa Barueri, in the semifinal of the Campeonato Paulista. With the triumph, the Verdão secured a spot in the state final for the seventh consecutive time. Since 2020, the club has won four titles (2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024) and is now seeking another victory. The opponent in the final will be Novorizontino, who eliminated Corinthians last Saturday (28).

During the training session, the starters engaged in recovery work at the recovery and neuroscience center, while the other players went to the field for technical activities. The training initially included matchups and, subsequently, small-sided games with two teams of six players. Midfielder Emi Martínez, recovered from a left calf injury, began the physical transition process. Meanwhile, forward Paulinho followed a schedule of activities both indoors and on the field.

OneFootball Videos

Gómez Speaks!

After the training, defender and captain Gustavo Gómez appreciated the qualification and highlighted the team's performance in the season's classics — four victories in four matches against Corinthians, São Paulo, and Santos.

I think our team is doing well, we are improving game by game. It's important for us, for Palmeiras, and for our fans to beat the rivals we have here in São Paulo. We are very happy to reach another final, now it's time to rest and prepare for the first game, which will be difficult. I think with humility and a lot of work we can achieve important things

Close to reaching the milestone of 400 matches for the club (currently with 391 games), Gómez, the highest-scoring defender in Palmeiras' history, with 45 goals, also commented on his individual moment and the strength of the squad.

I am very grateful to be at Palmeiras and work with all the professionals here. I am happy, I think this group of players that has arrived now deserves to be in a final. Many of them, with a lot of humility and hard work, will try to win their first title. Our goal is this, we have a very beautiful history and this also shows the work of everyone here at Palmeiras and the management. It's important to have this consistency of always fighting for titles. Now it's about working with a lot of humility, with a lot of seriousness, and trying to win another title and keep writing our history

The captain also analyzed Novorizontino, who, having the best campaign, will decide the final at home on Sunday (08). The first leg will be played on Wednesday (04), at Arena Crefisa Barueri.

The opponent is very strong and has shown that it was no accident they finished with the best campaign in the group stage. It's a tough opponent, one that competes a lot, just like us. In the first game, at home, we will try to do our best, with the help of our fans, who have been filling Arena Barueri. This has been helping a lot too, and I think all together we can achieve positive things

Besides the title race, Gómez is about to reach historic milestones. Just stepping onto the field will tie him with Raphael Veiga as the athlete who has played the most finals for Palmeiras — currently 15 finals, alongside Weverton and one behind the midfielder. If he wins another trophy, he could become the most decorated player in the club's history, reaching 13 titles and surpassing names like Weverton, Marcos Rocha, Mayke, Dudu, Ademir da Guia, and Junqueira.

And now?

As finalists, Verdão returns to the field next Wednesday (4), at 8 PM (Brasília time), at Arena Crefisa Barueri, in the first match of the Paulistão against Novorizontino. The decisive game will be on Sunday (8), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time), in the São Paulo countryside.

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