Palmeiras start preparations for Vasco clash in the Brasileirão | OneFootball

Palmeiras returned to training on Friday morning (21) at the Football Academy and began the final stretch of preparation to face Vasco at 4:00 p.m. (Brasília time) this Sunday (23) at Nubank Parque, in the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship. Having qualified for the CONMEBOL Libertadores quarterfinals, Verdão is looking to get back to winning in the national tournament and maintain the lead with 48 points.

After securing qualification against Cerro Porteño in Paraguay, Abel Ferreira’s coaching staff led technical activities with specific objectives and small-sided games. The team is now turning its full attention to the Brasileirão, a competition in which it has dropped points in recent rounds and needs to respond in order to keep its advantage at the top of the table.

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Among the players still recovering is Paulinho. The forward, who is being treated for a right thigh injury, did work on the pitch in line with the schedule set by the medical and fitness staff.

Flaco López eyes historic milestones

One of Palmeiras’ standout players this season, Flaco López also spoke about the team’s current moment after qualifying in the Libertadores. The Argentine valued the win over Cerro Porteño and highlighted the importance of knowing how to deal with pressure during a season with such a packed schedule.

In addition to continental qualification, Flaco is close to reaching important milestones in the club’s history. The striker has scored 35 goals for Palmeiras in the Brazilian Championship and needs to find the net once more to equal Ademir da Guia, who scored 36 times in the competition for Verdão.

In Palmeiras’ overall scoring rankings, the Argentine is also close to moving up. With 74 goals for the club, Flaco is tied with Jair Rosa Pinto and is one goal away from matching Edu Bala, who has 75.

Palmeiras wants to win at home again

Against Vasco, Flaco López expects a focused and intelligent Palmeiras side to go after all three points. The forward also highlighted the importance of once again having the support of the fans at Nubank Parque.

The clash against Vasco takes place three days before Palmeiras begins specific preparation for the decisive stretch of the season. In the Libertadores quarterfinals, Verdão will face Ecuador’s LDU in a repeat of last edition’s semifinal matchup.

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