Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira set to make changes to starting XI

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·4 August 2026

Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira set to make changes to starting XI

Palmeiras wrapped up preparations on Tuesday afternoon (4) for the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16. Abel Ferreira’s side will face Fortaleza this Wednesday (5) at 9:30 p.m. at Arena Pantanal, in Cuiabá (MT), looking to protect the advantage built in the first leg.

In the first meeting, played at Nubank Parque, Verdão won 3-0 with goals from Mauricio, Jhon Arias and Flaco López, and can even afford to lose by two goals and still secure a place in the quarterfinals.

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During training at the Academia de Futebol, Abel Ferreira led a tactical session focused on team positioning, attacking and defensive movement, as well as set-piece adjustments. The squad also took part in a light-hearted game to wrap up preparations before the trip.

Gustavo Gómez is still recovering from a right thigh injury and did specific work on the pitch alongside professionals from the Health and Performance Department. The center-back is still not fit to face Fortaleza.

Piquerez reaches historic milestone

In addition to preparations for the decisive match, Tuesday was also marked by a special moment for Joaquín Piquerez. After the win over Fortaleza last Sunday, the Uruguayan reached 242 appearances for Palmeiras and became the second foreign player with the most matches for the club, surpassing Valdivia and Arce, who both had 241 games. Ahead of him is only Gustavo Gómez, the outright leader in the ranking, with 415 appearances.

Piquerez also extended other major achievements: he is the most successful left-back in the club’s history, with nine titles, and the Uruguayan with the most wins for Palmeiras, with 150 victories.

The No. 22 celebrated the achievement and highlighted the importance of becoming part of the club’s history.

Being the second foreign player with the most games is a historic milestone, very special and very difficult to achieve at a club as big as Palmeiras. Now I’m only behind Gustavo, who is a reference for all of us within the club. I’m very happy and I want to keep reaching goals and becoming more and more a part of Palmeiras’ history.

Recovery after surgery

The full-back also recalled the recovery period following surgery on his right ankle, carried out in April, an injury that kept him off the pitch for a few weeks before he returned in time to play in the World Cup.

According to Piquerez, the support of the Health and Performance Department was crucial to his comeback.

They were difficult months, but I managed to overcome them thanks to everyone’s help. Today I’m getting back to my best physical and mental shape.

Advantage, but no complacency

Even with the comfortable advantage built in the first leg, the Uruguayan urged caution for the decisive clash. The player stressed that Palmeiras intends to maintain its identity and go for another away win.

“We have a big advantage earned in the first 90 minutes, but we know it will be a difficult pitch and complicated conditions. I hope the team can keep doing what it has been doing, control the result and win again.”

Palmeiras heads into the match with momentum. In addition to the three-goal advantage, Verdão is on a 12-game unbeaten run away from home, with eight wins and four draws, and will try to confirm its place in the quarterfinals while maintaining its strong form this season.

Rotation

With the advantage built in the first leg, Palmeiras may rotate the squad and give some of its starters a rest for Wednesday’s match (5) at Arena Pantanal.

Marlon Freitas and Andreas Pereira have logged a high number of minutes in recent months and may be rested by Abel Ferreira’s coaching staff.

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