Palmeiras return to training ahead of Botafogo clash in Brasileirão

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Nosso Palestra

·4 September 2026

Palmeiras return to training ahead of Botafogo clash in Brasileirão

Palmeiras returned to training on Friday morning (4) at the Football Academy after securing a place in the Copa do Brasil semifinal. Verdão advanced by beating Santos in the quarterfinals, with a scoreless draw at Vila Belmiro and a 3-0 win at Nubank Parque.

Now, the green-and-white side turns its focus back to the Brazilian Championship. Palmeiras face Botafogo this Sunday (6) at 6:30 p.m. at Nilton Santos Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, in the 26th round of the competition.

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The players who were on the pitch for more than 45 minutes against Santos last Wednesday (2) did recovery work in the indoor areas of the center of excellence. The remaining players went out onto the field for technical activities, including passing and possession drills in tight spaces, as well as finishing and one-on-one situations in the final third.

Lucas Evangelista highlights strategy against Santos

One of Palmeiras’ standout performers in the qualification, midfielder Lucas Evangelista spoke about the approach the team adopted in the second leg against Santos. According to the player, the result from the first match allowed the team to manage its advantage and prioritize defensive organization.

It was a more unusual game. We knew our strategy because of the favorable result we got at home. We sat back a little more and stayed organized defensively. We knew there would be pressure from them in the first 10 or 15 minutes, especially since they were playing at home. There was even a moment I mentioned to Arthur—we were already expecting that. So it was about staying mentally strong and focused on what we had to do. With the strategy we used, everything worked out, mission accomplished.

Having advanced in the Copa do Brasil, Palmeiras remain alive in all three competitions they are playing this season. For Evangelista, the run of decisive matches requires every player to be ready to take the opportunities given by coach Abel Ferreira.

Abel is absolutely right about that—we’re still alive in all three competitions. We can’t ease off; everyone has to be ready. No matter the competition, we have to play at full strength. We know it’s not easy, it’s very difficult, but that’s the mindset we have: to win them all.

Palmeiras look to extend dominance over Botafogo

Leaders of the Brazilian Championship, Palmeiras also have the best away record in the competition, with a 64.10% success rate, ahead of Flamengo, who have 61.54%.

Verdão head into the clash on a four-match unbeaten run and with three straight wins over Botafogo. The streak began in June 2025 with a 1-0 victory in the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup in Philadelphia, thanks to a Paulinho goal in the first half of extra time.

In August of the same year, in the second half of the Brasileirão season, Palmeiras won again 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro, this time through a goal by Felipe Anderson. Then, in the first half of this year’s league campaign, Verdão came out on top 2-1 at Nubank Parque, with goals from Allan and Jhon Arias.

“It’s the most important stage of the year”

With the season entering its decisive stretch, Lucas Evangelista reinforced the importance of the squad’s mindset for the upcoming matches. The midfielder stressed that everyone needs to be willing to contribute, regardless of how much time they get on the pitch.

“As we reach the final stretch of the year, we keep emphasizing the need to make sacrifices and pay the price. It’s the most important stage of the year, so I think all the work we’ve been doing since the beginning won’t mean anything if we don’t finish with titles. It’s a moment when we talk a lot about giving things up and making sacrifices, so everyone has that mentality. Regardless of who starts, everyone is ready to help—whether for 90 minutes, five minutes, or even, for those who don’t come on, by bringing positive energy in the dressing room,” Evangelista concluded.

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