Palmeiras keep a clean sheet after poor defensive run | OneFootball

Palmeiras ended in a 0-0 draw with Cruzeiro last Sunday night, in the 30th round of the Brazilian Championship. With this result, Verdão managed to keep a clean sheet after a negative defensive streak. They had conceded ten goals in the last five games.

Abel Ferreira’s team’s recent run also included six goals conceded in two games. This mark was set in the defeats to Flamengo in the Brasileirão (3-2) and to LDU (3-0) in the first leg of the Libertadores semifinal. Before that, Verdão had also conceded in victories over São Paulo (3-2), Juventude (4-1), and Red Bull Bragantino (5-1).

The last time Palmeiras had kept a clean sheet was against Vasco on October 1st, when they beat their opponent 3-0 in the 26th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel had a decisive performance to keep the score level against Cruzeiro. The number 1 made important saves and practically worked a miracle in stoppage time of the second half.

Defense undergoes changes

In the last six games, Palmeiras had three different center-back pairings and also saw a change in goal. Goalkeeper Weverton suffered a fracture in his right hand and was sidelined. Thus, Carlos Miguel, who hadn’t played an official match since February, took the position and started the last three games: against Flamengo, LDU, and Cruzeiro.

In the back line, Gómez and Murilo formed the duo against São Paulo, LDU, and Cruzeiro. Against Juventude and Red Bull Bragantino, Murilo and Micael were chosen by Abel Ferreira for the defense. Gómez was suspended for the match against the team from Rio Grande do Sul and was on duty with the Paraguayan national team against Massa Bruta.

Finally, Gómez and Fuchs formed the center-back pairing against Flamengo. In the last three games (Flamengo, LDU, and Cruzeiro), therefore, Abel Ferreira did not repeat the team’s formation. Additionally, in the matches against Juventude, Bragantino, and Cruzeiro, Fuchs played as a defensive midfielder.

Palmeiras needs to keep a clean sheet in the Libertadores

Palmeiras takes the field this Thursday, looking to stay alive in the Libertadores. The alviverde team needs to overturn the 3-0 defeat against LDU to secure a spot in the final of the continental competition. Verdão must achieve a four-goal victory if they want to advance without the need for penalties.

Thus, in addition to seeking three or four goals, the Palmeiras team needs to keep a clean sheet to avoid making their mission even more difficult.

Palmeiras’ next match

Palmeiras vs. LDU-EQU Competition: Libertadores (Second leg of the semifinal) Date and time: October 30, 2025 (Thursday), at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) Venue: Allianz Parque, São Paulo (SP)

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