Palmeiras manage Barboza’s workload, defender could feature in Saturday friendly | OneFootball

Palmeiras are managing Alexander Barboza’s workload during the mid-season break, and the centre-back could make his first run-out on Saturday against Juventus. He remains the club’s only addition for the second half of the year and has been working at the Academia de Futebol.

According to Globo.com, Barboza arrived with no physical issues, but the staff are controlling his training load to integrate him into the routine. He did not feature in any of the three friendlies so far, against Mauaense and Primavera, plus an internal game.

He has been a positive presence in training, and there is an expectation he could be involved in the next friendly.

Looking ahead, he hopes to be named for the game against Coritiba on 22 July, Palmeiras’ first after the World Cup. His involvement had been in doubt due to a Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva punishment, but last week the tribunal accepted an appeal and cut the ban from two matches to one, already served at Botafogo.

This season, Barboza has played 26 games for Botafogo, scoring two goals and providing three assists. Palmeiras’ other centre-backs are Benedetti, Bruno Fuchs, Gustavo Gómez and Murilo.

Source: Globo.com