Rotate or not? Palmeiras torn before Fluminense, Libertadores decider | OneFootball

Palmeiras will face an important dilemma this Saturday (15). Amid a run of results below expectations and with a Libertadores decider scheduled for next Wednesday (19), Verdão will take on Fluminense at 4:30 p.m. at the Maracanã, in the 23rd round of the Brazilian Championship.

The match takes place just three days after the 1-1 draw with Cerro Porteño in the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16. The result left the tie completely open and will force Palmeiras to go after qualification in Asunción, Paraguay. In addition, Andreas Pereira was sent off in the second half and will be unavailable for the return leg.

The situation puts Abel Ferreira in front of a recurring choice from recent seasons: rest some of the starters in the Brasileirão to prioritize a continental knockout match, or keep the strongest possible lineup to try to recover the team’s form and confidence.

A history of rotation

Using alternative lineups in Brasileirão matches close to knockout clashes has already become part of Abel’s strategy at Palmeiras. During periods of a packed schedule, the coach usually manages the minutes of his key players and uses squad members who normally get fewer opportunities.

Palmeiras do not head into the clash with Fluminense riding momentum. The team are coming off results that have increased the pressure on the coaching staff and, against Cerro, let a win slip away in the final minutes. The team took the lead through Flaco López, but conceded the equalizer deep into stoppage time.

For that reason, an overly rotated lineup could also represent a risk from both a sporting and psychological standpoint.

Fluminense stand in the way

Fluminense and Palmeiras will face off in a clash between teams fighting near the top of the table, and Tricolor are also seeking to bounce back after a run of draws and changes in management.

In addition, Palmeiras already beat Fluminense in the first half of the season, 2-1, in a match played at Arena Crefisa Barueri.

A win in Rio de Janeiro could carry significant weight for the league leaders, especially at a time when the team need to regain confidence before the continental decider.

The risk of resting too many players

The central issue for Abel is that Palmeiras need to rest, but they also need to respond.

After the draw with Cerro, the coach made it clear that there are still 90 minutes left to secure qualification. The team, however, will have to play away from home and without Andreas Pereira.

Palmeiras had also already been showing difficulties against opponents who sit deep. Before the first match against Cerro, Abel had warned precisely about this problem and about the need for his team to find solutions against defensive opponents.

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