Palmeiras target ending Copa do Brasil hoodoo, dream of title again | OneFootball

Leading the Brazilian Championship and qualified for the round of 16 of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, Palmeiras now turns its attention to the Copa do Brasil, a competition that has become one of the season’s priorities. This Sunday (2), at 4 p.m. (Brasília time), Verdão hosts Fortaleza at Nubank Parque in the first leg of the round of 16, looking to overcome a stage that has been a stumbling block in recent years.

In the last two editions of the tournament, Palmeiras was eliminated precisely in the round of 16. In 2024, it fell to Flamengo, while in 2025 it said goodbye to the competition after being beaten by Corinthians. Now, enjoying a great moment in the season and with a virtually full squad available, Abel Ferreira’s team is trying to return to the decisive knockout rounds.

The Copa do Brasil has special meaning for Abel Ferreira. The coach’s only title in the competition was won in 2020, in his very first season in charge of Palmeiras. Since then, despite playing a leading role in other competitions, the club is still looking to repeat that winning campaign and lift the trophy again.

After the 4-0 thrashing of Vitória last Wednesday (29), Abel stressed that Palmeiras remains firmly in the race for the season’s main titles. In a press conference, the coach highlighted that the goal is to compete at a high level in every competition.

The statement highlights the importance the club places on the Copa do Brasil, which, alongside the Brazilian Championship and the Libertadores, is part of Palmeiras’ plans for 2026.

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