BRAZIL: Renato Paiva ruthlessly fired by Botafogo 10 days after PSG triumph, as Abel Ferreira’s Palmeiras’ “dreams cost nothing” ahead of CWC meeting with Chelsea | OneFootball

The big clash between two of Brazil’s major clubs in the FIFA Club World Cup on Saturday provided repercussions still emanating throughout the country 48 hours later.

Palmeiras beat reigning Brazilian and South American champions Botafogo 1-0 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, booking their spot in the quarter finals against Chelsea. On Monday morning, Botafogo fired Portuguese boss Renato Paiva, with the team still in Pennsylvania.

The decision marks a whirlwind 10 days for Paiva, who is reported to be surprised by the news. Botafogo beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the group phase – a result regarded as one of the most important victories in the club’s glorious history - which was followed by securing progress into the knockout stages at the expense of Atletico Madrid.

At the time, Paiva was lauded for his tactical set-up, with PSG manager Luis Enrique even claiming Botafogo were the best defensive team they had faced this season. Botafogo owner John Textor interrupted Paiva’s post-match interview to hug the Portuguese, seemingly demonstrating a strong bond between them.

Tactical disconnect

Yet, by Sunday evening, the decision to fire Paiva had been made and communicated personally, with the official statement following the next morning. According to reports in Brazil, Textor has been largely unimpressed by what he perceives as overly defensive tactics employed by Paiva, emphasised during the defeat to Palmeiras.

Paiva had promised a more balanced gameplan after the highly pragmatic showing which outfoxed PSG. However, after a drab first half, Palmeiras showed by far the greater intent and urgency, since when the perception of the tactical battle has been that Abel Ferreira’s side deserved to overcome the stringent rigidity of Paiva.

Although many observers will accept Paiva’s motivation for sticking with a structure that had worked against PSG, particularly as the consensus is that Palmeiras are stronger this season whilst Botafogo are perhaps weaker, the assurances made by Paiva about a more proactive approach were not visible on the pitch. A line in Brazilian outlet Globo advised that “fortune favoured the competent” as a barb at Fogo’s performance.

Textor gave speech to the players after the match, during which he is believed to have accepted the notion of losing to Abel’s side, but refused to accept the fashion of the loss. Having often repeated a mantra regarding “the Botafogo way” many of the players reportedly inferred criticism of Paiva in the speech, and were unsurprised by the news of his departure, albeit it was hastily-timed.

From his end, Paiva is thought to put his sacking down to an unwillingness to let Textor interfere in team matters. The tactics, especially away from home, are believed to have caused a divide in terms of the club’s “identity” but according to journalists close to the situation, Paiva has also expressed concern about Textor advising which positions players should be deployed in, partly motivated by marketing them for sale.

Textor recently announced he will give up his duties at French outfit Lyon, whom he also owns, to focus more on Botafogo. One of his first actions since the announcement has been to remove Paiva, who replaced the highly successful Artur Jorge after his departure to Qatar ahead of this season. Paiva guided Botafogo to the first victory by a Brazilian team against a European counterpart in 13 years through the win over PSG. His overall record is less impressive: 23 games, 12 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses. Fogo sit in 8th place in Brasileirão, with 18 points from 11 matches.

How far can Palmeiras go?

In keeping with the fickle nature of football, Botafogo’s defeat saw the previously-lauded Paiva quickly maligned for losing his battle with countryman Abel Ferreira. Not only was Botafogo’s structure and approach deemed predictable enough for Abel to cause a few surprises, the Rio de Janeiro side were accused of being ‘fearful’ in the way they played.

Abel, on the other hand, is credited with overseeing growing improvements at Palmeiras since their 2-2 draw with Inter Miami on the final group Matchday, which drew some criticism. Verdão were more impressive in their opening-day goalless draw with Porto, while tactical tweaks against Botafogo, including switching young sensation Estêvão from right wing to left, leave the sense Abel is getting most things right at the tournament.

The former Braga and Sporting man delivered a vintage impassioned speech ahead of the win over Botafogo, while several smaller details have contributed to a sense that Palmeiras may yet write another chapter in their story in the United States. “The manager has been saying this since the beginning of the season. We have a dream and dreaming costs nothing,” says defender Bruno Fuchs.

The players appear willing to sacrifice plenty for the cause. Fuchs drew affection from the club’s fans for a brave attempt to head the ball on the ground inside his penalty area against Botafogo, while the scorer of the winning goal in extra time, Paulinho, is playing with a stress fracture in the tibia, causing him to come off the field just three minutes after his goal having been introduced as a second-half substitute.

Abel’s golden touch

The decision to throw on Paulinho was also a significant one, given the forward replaced Chelsea-bound Estêvão just when the teenager appeared to be growing in threat. Estêvão was frustrated at the call made by Abel, but with Paulinho now revered as the matchwinner, the substitution is marked down as another golden touch by the Portuguese.

With so many feel-good factors around the team, the question of whether Verdão can overcome Chelsea and book their place in the semi-finals becomes one many in São Paulo are daring to ask. Abel described his team as “incredible” after their progress, saluting the unity in the team, while his record of twice winning the Copa Libertadores adds to the sense that anything is possible.

Palmeiras did not come through the quarter-final unscathed. Defenders Gustavo Gómez and Joaquim Piquerez received yellow cards which rule them out of the match against Chelsea, while another defender, Murilo, picked up an injury and is unlikely to play again during the remainder of the tournament.

The clash between Palmeiras and Chelsea takes place on Friday evening, again at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The winners will face either Fluminense, Inter, Al Ahly or Manchester City in the last four.