Abel rues Palmeiras errors, values draw: "If you can't win, don't lose" | OneFootball

The Palmeiras debuted in the Brazilian Championship with a 2-2 draw against Atlético-MG on Wednesday night. Coach Abel Ferreira lamented the mistakes made by Verdão, which conceded two goals and at one point was behind on the scoreboard. He demanded efficiency from the players but valued the first point earned away from home in a match that took place at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte (MG).

“The most important thing about the game, the first round, we were more dangerous. The truth is that our opponent also has merits, is well organized, has good players, and was extremely fortunate in the way they scored the goals. Unforced errors on our part where we conceded the two goals and our opponent took advantage. Before we conceded the comeback goal, we had two clear opportunities,” he stated.

“I liked it, we managed to take the ball to the decision zone. We had one with Mauricio and another with Sosa. We know these are tough, tight games, and we created more goal expectations than they did. This is crucial: the efficiency in the opportunities we create can dictate the final result. The opponent was lucky, we were not so much. When you can't win, you don't lose, and that's what we did. It's a pity about the unforced errors that we must avoid and work on so that they don't happen like this next time,” he demanded.

Flaco López opened the scoring for Palmeiras at 26 minutes. However, Victor Hugo took advantage of a slip in the Palmeiras defense and leveled the score before halftime. Galo even had a goal disallowed before turning the game around with an own goal by Khellven. Finally, Verdão managed to hold onto a point after a goal by Vitor Roque, who came off the bench.

“Exciting game”

“But I think it was a game, for those who like to see goals, exciting, for me, as a coach, not so much because of the way we conceded the goals. But two very qualified teams. Sampaoli has a very characteristic way of building. A team that sharpens the opponent's last line a lot with five players and sometimes one from back to front. Igor Gomes was this extra element,” analyzed Abel.

“I think we, in my opinion, once again, were able to be secure in those moments of defensive organization, but there are details like these errors I mentioned, which are unforced errors. The first goal, we, with some ease, couldn't avoid, especially in the last minute of the first half, which doesn't help much with the confidence of a team like Palmeiras, which has the obligation to always fight to win. But, as always, we went after the result, even after our opponent turned the game around with the own goal. We are at the beginning, we will continue on this path of consistency or this marathon that is the Brasileirão,” he concluded.

Next Palmeiras Game

Game: Botafogo-SP vs. Palmeiras Date and Time: February 1, 2026 (Sunday), at 8:30 PM (Brasília time) Competition: Campeonato Paulista (6th round) Location: Arena NicNet, in Ribeirão Preto (SP)

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