Abel explains Palmeiras line-up, urges players after conceding | OneFootball

Abel Ferreira decided to field the starting team to face Fluminense, in a match preceding the semifinal of the Campeonato Paulista. Palmeiras won the game 2-1 at Arena Crefisa Barueri and remained at the top of the Brasileirão. The coach justified his choice for the starters and criticized the team for the mistake in the only goal conceded.

“In my opinion, the game is very clear. We started strong, went 2-0 up. We conceded a goal that we shouldn't have. Those who compete to be champions can't concede that kind of goal in the way it happened. The opponent, from that moment, got back into the game. It was a goal that took away our confidence,” criticized Abel.

“If we look at the goal opportunities, the opponent had them, but so did we. And the way they scored is more our fault than the opponent's merit. Our goalkeeper also made good saves. In my opinion, it was an open game the whole time. We hit the post twice, we had one with Mauricio where we stole the ball up front. We made corrections at halftime, controlled the game, refreshed the team,” he analyzed.

“We had some players more tired. It's normal in Brazilian football. I've talked about this, rest time. It was a balanced game, as expected, against a team that was super confident. I think it was a great spectacle. Two teams that played until the last second to win the game,” he continued.

Abel defends strategy

Unlike São Paulo, Palmeiras' opponent in the Campeonato Paulista semifinal, Palmeiras repeated the lineup that thrashed Capivariano in the quarterfinals and faced Fluminense at full strength. Abel Ferreira explained the choice for the starters and assured confidence in the processes within the club and the energy of his squad.

“I don't think with others' heads, I think with mine and what is best for Palmeiras. I won't change because others do. I look at what we know we do and believe in, at our process. I respect others, but I go with my ideas, knowledge of our squad, which, by the way, is the youngest in Brazilian football. Therefore, it has enough energy to endure and, when they don't have it, we substitute, as we did today,” he explained.

“Those who came in, came in very well. Today, Zubeldia took out five, but left another five. You can do that in the game. They are different ideas. The only constant in football and life is uncertainty and only after things happen do we think ‘I could have done this or that’. We know what we are doing and believe in what we do and others are others and do what they believe in,” he continued.

Palmeiras' situation

With the victory, Palmeiras remains unbeaten in the Brasileirão and stays at the top of the competition, with ten points earned. Now, there are one draw and three consecutive victories. Abel Ferreira's team now turns its attention to the Campeonato Paulista, a tournament in which it is a semifinalist and fights for a spot in the final against São Paulo on Sunday.

Palmeiras' upcoming matches

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