Palmeiras settle on best XI before derby, market moves and options | OneFootball

Palmeiras seems to have finally found its ideal team for the most anticipated moment at the start of the season: the Derby. After weeks of tests, observations, and fine-tuning by Abel Ferreira, the Verdão approaches the classic with a formation closer to the ideal.

The 5-1 victory over Vitória was an expressive result on the scoreboard. But it also indicated that the structure chosen by the coaching staff showed results and performance, the best of the club this year.

The team that convinced Abel

The formation considered ideal today is:

Carlos Miguel; Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez; Marlon Freitas, Andreas Pereira, Maurício, Allan; Vitor Roque and Flaco López.

This team represents the balance that Abel seeks so much: qualified ball exit, a midfield with mobility, and an attack that mixes physical strength and aggressiveness.

Carlos Miguel has definitively secured the spot in goal, providing confidence after Weverton's departure. The defensive line has leadership with Gómez, vigor with Murilo (despite recent doubts), and depth on the sides with Khellven and Piquerez.

In the midfield, the mechanism revolves around Andreas Pereira, the organizer, and Maurício, who enters the area and connects sectors. Allan provides intensity on the sides, while Marlon Freitas, even being an original "eight," acts as the first defensive midfielder — a role that is not yet ideal for him but meets the squad's needs.

In the front, Vitor Roque brings speed and high pressure, while Flaco López offers presence in the area and physical imposition.

Tests, alternatives, and observations

Before reaching this conviction, Abel rotated the squad quite a bit. Names like Ramón Sosa, Emiliano Martínez, Luís Pacheco, and even Bruno Fuchs were observed in the starting team.

Besides them, Larson, from the youth categories, also received minutes and special attention from the coaching staff, showing that Palmeiras continues to look internally, even while active in the market.

Marlon Freitas out of the ideal position

Internally, the club acknowledges that Marlon Freitas is not playing in his best role. The original number 8 has been playing as a more defensive midfielder due to a lack of ready options. The solution has worked tactically but is not considered definitive.

For this reason, Palmeiras has turned its eyes to the market.

Danilo on the radar: an old desire

Verdão is negotiating the possible return of Danilo, currently at Botafogo. The NOSSO PALESTRA found that the São Paulo club formalized an offer of 8 million euros for 50% of the economic rights, but it hit a snag with the Rio club's asking price: 20 million euros.

Despite the gap in values, the interest remains alive. Danilo is seen as the ideal name to provide balance, intensity, and identification to the midfield.

Defense under observation and active market

In defense, the situation is also closely monitored. Murilo, who scored against Vitória, still fluctuates in performance. Bruno Fuchs pleases, but has not yet established himself. In light of this, Palmeiras is making moves.

Jhon Árias: reinforcement on the way

Meanwhile, the attack may gain even more quality. Palmeiras has a well-advanced negotiation with Jhon Árias, who is expected to arrive as a significant reinforcement.

The Colombian would come from Wolves, in England, for around 25 million euros, to be an immediate solution and elevate the technical level of the squad, especially on the sides of the field.

And now?

Palmeiras returns to the field next Sunday (8), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time), facing Corinthians in a match for the Paulista Championship, at Neo Química Arena. In the Brasileirão, Verdão returns next Thursday (12), at 9:30 PM (Brasília time), against Internacional.

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