Palmeiras eye third straight clean sheet as centre-back deal nears | OneFootball

Palmeiras visit Red Bull Bragantino on Sunday seeking a third straight clean sheet that would equal their best sequence of the season.

According to Nosso Palestra, the club have moved forward with a deal for Botafogo centre-back Alexander Barboza, who is expected to join from 20 July pending final formalities.

Abel Ferreira's team shut out Athletico-PR and Jacuipense and could now match the early-year run of three 1-0 Paulista wins over Portuguesa, Santos and Mirassol.

That record would again be built with different pairings. Early on they used Murilo-Benedetti v Portuguesa, Gustavo Gómez-Murilo v Santos, and Gómez-Bruno Fuchs v Mirassol.

In the current spell it was Gómez-Murilo v Athletico-PR, with Murilo sent off after the break, then Murilo-Fuchs v Jacuipense. Against Bragantino, Gómez will partner Fuchs as Murilo is suspended.

Barboza won the 2024 Copa Libertadores and Brasileirão with Botafogo and has 118 appearances, four goals and four assists. He has already played 10 league matches this season, within the new 12-game transfer limit. If confirmed, he would compete with Gómez, Murilo, Benedetti and Fuchs, and the club are also evaluating another addition such as Nino of Zenit, formerly Fluminense.

Source: Nosso Palestra