Abel: Palmeiras lacked aggression, Vitória keeper saved all | OneFootball

Palmeiras found themselves in a tough spot in the Brazilian Championship. Abel Ferreira’s team couldn’t get past a 0-0 draw against Vitória on Wednesday night (19th) at Allianz Parque and could see Flamengo open up a five-point lead at the top of the table.

With only four matches left – three away and just one at home – in the Brasileirão, Flamengo could open up a five-point lead if they beat Fluminense also this Wednesday, at Maracanã.

Abel Speaks!

Verdão’s Moment

— We have to talk about a lot of things. About the narrative that’s been created that Palmeiras is favored. Today we had a player sent off — Andreas didn’t even touch the opponent, that’s clear. In the match against São Paulo, they made a whole fuss, no one touched the ball and everyone said it was a penalty. And more: they punished the referee, one of the best in Brazil. They went after him. Last year he refereed the Olympic final.

— About the clear penalty that was in our favor: the ball also burst, but then there was contact. Where’s the criteria? Andreas gets a yellow and the referee didn’t see. Do you know what Andreas said to get sent off? “It’s ridiculous.” Anything you write that isn’t that, is false. He said: “It’s ridiculous, the yellow you gave me.”

— About the match: we gave our opponent a 45-minute advantage. We lacked the attitude to finish, to take responsibility. That was missing in the first half. We played backwards and sideways. In the second half we had Veiga’s shot on the second ball, Felipe’s shot, Andreas’ shot, a header from Facundo… That’s football. We have to accept: we didn’t play a good first half.

Drop in Performance?

— In the first half, yes. In the second, no. We created chances to come away with a different result. In the first half we played backwards and sideways. The chance Bruno Rodrigues missed right in front of the goal came from Allan. Their goalkeeper saved everything today: shots to the top corner, in the six-yard box… everything.

National Team Players Only in the Second Half

— Who said they would guarantee the result? These are players who can’t play the whole game, and I know I’ll have to substitute them. And, if they’re smart, they’ll realize: Flaco in the last two games produced very little. Do you know why? Because, maybe, he shouldn’t even have played against Santos. If I put them in from the start, it’s just praying they don’t get injured and knowing I’ll have to take them off later.

Crosses

— Do you know how many times we crossed in the first half? Twice. Don’t come at me with a narrative about crosses. We created chances with shots from outside. Was Bruno Rodrigues’ play a cross? No, it was a pass inside the box. Can you consider it a cross? Maybe. In the second half we overdid it a bit more, but that’s what the game called for. What was missing in the first half was aggressiveness. We had a ball where Bruno passed to Veiga, he crossed and the goalkeeper saved. The biggest chance of the first half was ours. We can’t miss in games like this. I can’t watch López make a play like Andreas’.

Letting Important Points Slip Away

— How many teams have won four in a row? This year we don’t just depend on ourselves. I’d like to win every day too, but I won’t always be able to. But that doesn’t mean I don’t work. Against Mirassol, we had a three-point lead and we lost that game fair and square — they were better. I don’t know what will happen until the end. I know we’re fighting for the title. In four years, we’ve won two Libertadores and we’re there again. Everyone sees the glass however they want.

— Unfortunately, we were left without a player because of a ridiculous, ridiculous, and ridiculous yellow card. A very important player. Only those I want to fool can fool me. — he concluded.

Palmeiras’ Upcoming Matches

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