Palmeiras have fresh legs in the XI, but backup a risk for the race | OneFootball

Abel Ferreira often compares football to Formula 1. Right in the fifth round of the Brasileirão, the coach had to change the team's tire in the match against Vasco, and the spare tire couldn't help Palmeiras score points in the race for the title.

In the 17 games already played in the 2026 season, the team considered the starting lineup, with only two changes at most, took the field nine times: winning eight and drawing one. When Abel needed to make more changes, Palmeiras struggled.

The winning streaks were interrupted precisely when the spare tire took center stage. Losses to Novorizontino, Botafogo-SP, and Vasco, in addition to the draw against Guarani. Palmeiras has new car tires when the starters are available, but that spare tire stored in the trunk for emergencies, smaller in size and pressure, only runs for a few kilometers, delaying the journey.

The players who have come off the bench the most so far are: Luighi, Ramón Sosa, and Lucas Evangelista, with eight matches. Felipe Anderson follows closely with seven. Of the quartet, Evangelista is considered the main tire.

The left-back position might be the best example of the difference between the main tire and the spare. The position has long lacked a reasonably adequate substitute to fill Piquerez's spot. Jefté, Caio Paulista, and Vanderlan were the latest.

Now, Arthur is starting his journey in the professional team. He has played three games this year (one as a starter and two coming off the bench). Instead of betting on an unjustifiable investment like in the cases of Caio and Jefté, why not give space to someone who is used to wearing green?

Palmeiras' race has many laps ahead in the Brazilian league and hasn't even started in the Libertadores and Copa do Brasil. As team leader, Abel Ferreira needs to rely on more new tires to avoid wearing out the best ones already in the squad. The spare tire has already shown it won't last long.

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