Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira could have two boosts for derby

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Nosso Palestra

·25 August 2026

Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira could have two boosts for derby

Palmeiras held another training session on Tuesday afternoon (25) at the Football Academy as they continue preparations for the derby against Santos on Wednesday (26), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, at Nubank Parque, in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals.

Under Abel Ferreira, the Portuguese coaching staff led tactical activities focused on build-up play, specific movement, marking, and simulated game situations, along with other aspects of preparation for the match.

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Left-back Piquerez and forward Paulinho, who is in the process of physical transition, took part in most of the activities with the rest of the squad. The session also marked goalkeeper Bruno Bertinato’s first training with the green-and-white group. Signed from Portuguesa, the player was announced by the club on Tuesday.

Carlos Miguel completes one year at Palmeiras

After training, goalkeeper Carlos Miguel spoke about reaching the one-year mark since joining Palmeiras. Signed on August 19, 2025, the No. 1 has already made 56 appearances for the club, 44 of them this season.

I’m happy to already be completing one year at Palmeiras. It feels like just yesterday I was being introduced, full of hope and motivation. I thank everyone who welcomed me, who helps me work every day, and who is with me supporting me from start to finish. We go through ups and downs, but we know how to handle them, we know the moment we’re in and what we’ve been able to deliver for the club. I’m thankful to the staff, and now the focus is to keep working so that many more years at Palmeiras can come.

The goalkeeper also stressed the importance of Palmeiras building an advantage in the first match against Santos, highlighting the weight of the derby and the need to stay focused for the full 90 minutes.

It’s the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals, and we know how important it is. We’re focused, we’ve trained well, and we’re prepared. It’s going to be a difficult match, we know that. It’s a derby, no derby is ever easy, and we have to prepare mentally, staying focused from start to finish to secure an advantage at home in the first 90 minutes.

Palmeiras is unbeaten in derbies in 2026

Verdão heads into the match with a positive record in state derbies this season. There have been seven matches, with five wins and two draws, maintaining an unbeaten run against their main rivals from São Paulo.

In the Paulista Championship, Palmeiras won all four derbies they played: against Santos (1-0), São Paulo (3-1), Corinthians (1-0), and São Paulo again (2-1) in the semifinal.

In the Brazilian Championship, there were three more clashes: a 1-0 win over São Paulo, a 0-0 draw with Corinthians, and a 1-1 draw with Santos.

Abel has a strong record in São Paulo derbies

Since taking charge of Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira has also built an impressive record against São Paulo’s big clubs. The Portuguese coaching staff has overseen 73 state derbies with Verdão, recording 36 wins, 22 draws, and only 15 defeats.

The opponent faced most often is São Paulo, with 31 matches. Palmeiras has 14 wins, 10 draws, and seven defeats. Against Corinthians, there have been 23 meetings, with nine wins, nine draws, and five defeats. Against Santos, Wednesday’s opponent, Abel has 19 matches with Palmeiras, with 13 wins, three draws, and only three defeats.

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