Palmeiras face Botafogo as Barboza and Marlon return, Danilo saga in focus | OneFootball

Palmeiras turn back to the league after booking a Copa do Brasil semi-final, and Sunday’s trip to Botafogo promises a string of reunions.

The 26th-round meeting is at Estádio Nilton Santos at 18:30, with RecordTV, Premiere and CazéTV showing it. According to Nosso Palestra, it will be the first time Alexander Barboza and Marlon Freitas face their former club in Palmeiras colours.

Barboza left Botafogo mid-season to strengthen the Verdão, ending a spell defined by prominence and leadership. He has quickly slotted into Abel Ferreira’s group.

At his Palmeiras unveiling he said he had spoken to ex-team-mates before accepting the move, specifically Marlon Freitas and Danilo, and that he remains close to them.

Marlon Freitas also swapped Botafogo for Palmeiras and will meet the home crowd at the stadium where he lived important moments in his career.

Botafogo, meanwhile, will have Danilo, the midfielder at the heart of a protracted saga with Palmeiras in the last window. The club made a 20 million euro bid and even considered including Naves, later signalling higher offers, but Botafogo did not sell despite the player’s wish to join.

Danilo stayed and now faces Palmeiras for the first time since that process. The reunion carries extra weight, as Barboza has said he even joked with Danilo to accept a move.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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