Abel: LDU better, but backs Palmeiras comeback at Allianz | OneFootball

The Palmeiras suffered a “heavy defeat” against LDU, as described by coach Abel Ferreira, complicating their situation in the Libertadores semifinal with a 3-0 disadvantage. The Palmeiras coach admitted the superiority of the Ecuadorian rival but remained confident in a comeback for Verdão in the return match at Allianz Parque.

“It was our first defeat in this competition. The opponent was better than Palmeiras in the first half. We were not up to our average. I won't spend much time on what happened here today. It's not the first Brazilian team to suffer like this at altitude,” analyzed Abel.

“We have 90 minutes at Allianz Parque and 90 minutes there is a long time. Congratulations to the opponent, today they were better. We will look to turn this result around,” he projected.

The result ended Palmeiras' unbeaten run in the competition. The team had nine wins and one draw.

Abel analyzes Palmeiras' performance

Palmeiras was hit very quickly. LDU, with Villamíl and Alzugaray, scored 3-0 just in the first half. The second goal was from a penalty kick. Abel, in a press conference, said he believed there was no penalty, but made no excuses about the opponent's victory.

“It was very hard for us to get into the game. I don't know if it was due to adaptation, the intensity of the opponent. The truth is our opponent started very strong,” declared Abel.

“I have many doubts about the penalty incident. I think the ball hit the shoulder. In the image I saw, it's not a penalty, but it doesn't take away the merit of the opponent, who was better. Starting with the coach, in the first half, we were not up to the average and the opponent was much better,” he admitted.

“Until the last second”

Now, Verdão needs a 4-0 win to advance without needing penalties. The return match takes place next Thursday at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) at Allianz Parque in São Paulo (SP).

“We won't always win, but we will fight to win until the last second. That's what we will do. This was the first defeat in the competition. A tough, heavy defeat, and I believe that, if there is a team that can overturn a result like this, it's us. We have to admit: we were not up to what our competence is. I don't know if it was the way we entered the game, how the players interpreted what I asked. We were not up to it. But 90 minutes at Allianz Parque is a long time,” he concluded.

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