Palmeiras’ synthetic return against Mirassol revives echoes of 2020 | OneFootball

After three months away, Palmeiras return to Allianz Parque on Sunday to reopen their synthetic pitch against Mirassol at 18h30, Brasília time. Globo.com notes that the fixture carries coincidences for the club, beginning with the same opponent that launched the surface in 2020.

In 2020, the artificial grass era began against Mirassol on 16 February, in the sixth round of the Campeonato Paulista. Palmeiras were led by Vanderlei Luxemburgo and already had Weverton, Gustavo Gómez and Raphael Veiga.

The context was tricky, coming off a trophyless 2019. Luxemburgo had arrived in December seeking a reset.

On that day Palmeiras fell behind, with the first goal on the new surface scored by Mirassol’s Rafael Silva. They turned it round through Gómez, Veiga and Luiz Adriano, and later lifted the State title against Corinthians on penalties.

After the State Championship, the pandemic interrupted football before the Brasileiro resumed. Luxemburgo’s spell ended in October, he was dismissed and replaced by Abel Ferreira.

So the pitch change coincided with a new era. Under the Portuguese coach, Palmeiras have won 11 trophies.

The parallels with 2020 are clear. As then, Palmeiras are coming off a season without silverware and with plenty to prove. The match could be a new starting point.

Unlike 2020, when artificial turf divided opinion inside the club, the switch is now taken in stride. Players praised the new surface after a session on Tuesday.

Source: Globo.com