Abel avoids STJD ban talk, but insists: ‘I saw it all in there’

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Nosso Palestra

·17 April 2026

Abel avoids STJD ban talk, but insists: ‘I saw it all in there’

Palmeiras had a tough time beating Sporting Cristal of Peru this Thursday (16), winning 2-1 in the Libertadores. After the match, coach Abel Ferreira spoke to the press and analyzed the game.

This was also Abel’s first meeting with the press after being handed an eight-match suspension for the expulsions against São Paulo and Fluminense combined in the Brazilian Championship. The club appealed, and the punishment was reduced to seven matches. He did not want to comment on the case.

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I followed everything that happened in that room, but I will keep to myself what I think, whether for those who gave four matches, two matches, and those who decided to uphold it. I have nothing to say.

The coach also spoke again about forwards Vitor Roque and Paulinho. Once again, the duo, who are recovering from injury, was left out of the bench. The coach called for caution.

It’s one day at a time. When they are ready, you will see them. But of course, it depends on many things—how they are doing, whether they are pain-free, prepared.

Another topic addressed was the choice of Khellven at left-back, while Arthur stayed on the bench. The youngster came on in the second half and won the penalty that gave Verdão the victory.

We know the games we have and what the players show. The players are important, all of them are. If Arthur had started, maybe he would have gone off and not won the penalty.

Abel said that, collectively, the team played well and deserved to go into halftime in the lead — the opening 45 minutes ended level.

We started the game well, we got into the box easily, and some players even got in each other’s way when it was time to finish — he said, referring to a play in which Flaco Lopez and Arias both arrived to shoot. We should have finished the first half with a different result. At halftime we corrected small details, and we scored a second goal, but it was offside. My team has absolute emotional control, it is resilient, and it is the mirror of its coach. Never give up, against everything and against everyone.

Lastly, he commented on reinforcements. With Paulinho, Vitor Roque, Mauricio, Piquerez, and Jefté absent, there were three empty spots on the bench. Abel, however, did not want to talk about new signings.

I’m very good at imagining, I’m creative, but when it comes to that, those are internal matters, planned from one year to the next. I have nothing more to say. What matters are my players. If we left three spots open on the bench today, it was the coach’s choice, because he felt some youth academy players needed playing time with the Under-20s.

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