Palmeiras team news: Abel Ferreira set for boosts in Copa do Brasil tie | OneFootball

Palmeiras wrapped up preparations on Tuesday afternoon (1st) at the Academia de Futebol for the decisive clash against Santos in the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. The teams will face each other again this Wednesday (2nd), at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time, at Vila Belmiro.

After a 3-0 win in the first leg, played last Wednesday (26th) at Nubank Parque, Verdão heads into the derby with a comfortable advantage. Abel Ferreira’s side can even lose by two goals and still secure a place in the semifinals. A three-goal defeat would send the tie to penalties.

Abel has new options in training

In the final session before the derby, Abel Ferreira’s coaching staff oversaw a tactical drill, followed by a recreational activity with the squad.

Just as had happened on Monday (31st), center-back Alexander Barboza, left-back Piquerez, and attacking midfielder Jhon Arias trained normally with the rest of the group.

The presence of all three gives Abel more options for the match at Vila Belmiro, especially after Verdão felt the absence of players in the game against Mirassol in the Brazilian Championship.

Positive record at Vila Belmiro

Palmeiras also has a positive record against Santos at Vila Belmiro during the Abel Ferreira era.

Since the Portuguese coach arrived in December 2020, Verdão has played seven matches against its rival at Santos’ stadium, with three wins, two draws, and two losses.

Considering the matchups regardless of venue, Palmeiras’ advantage is even greater. In the last 22 matches against Santos, Palmeiras has lost only three times, recording 15 wins and four draws in that span.

Palmeiras holds the edge in Copa do Brasil history

Palmeiras and Santos have previously faced each other twice in the Copa do Brasil — and Verdão came out on top both times.

The first meeting came in the 1998 semifinal. After 1-1 and 2-2 draws at Palestra Italia and Vila Belmiro, respectively, Palmeiras advanced to the final on the old away-goals rule. The team, coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari, then went on to win the title against Cruzeiro.

The rematch came in the 2015 final. After losing 1-0 at Vila Belmiro and winning 2-1 at what was then Allianz Parque, Palmeiras, managed by Marcelo Oliveira, won the Copa do Brasil on penalties.

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