Analysis: Palmeiras rally after break, but lack polish as win slips away | OneFootball

The 1-1 draw against Junior Barranquilla in Colombia marked Palmeiras’ debut in the 2026 Copa Libertadores with mixed feelings: an important point earned away from home, but also the clear sense that there are aspects that need to be corrected for the rest of the competition.

Verdão ran into difficulties from the very first minutes. Just five minutes in, the penalty committed by Maurício shaped the match and forced the team to come from behind, after Teófilo Gutiérrez converted it. The early setback reinforced a cagey first-half scenario, with little attacking fluency and difficulty building plays. There was a lack of intensity between the lines and greater aggressiveness in the final third.

The second half, however, showed a Palmeiras side closer to what is expected from a team managed by Abel Ferreira. The substitutions had an immediate impact, especially with the introduction of Ramón Sosa, who brought mobility, depth, and the ability to create individual imbalance. He scored the equalizer, rewarding the team’s collective improvement and more attacking approach.

From that point on, Palmeiras took control of the match. They began to press, push the opponent back into its own half, and create chances. Even so, they ran into a recurring problem: a lack of efficiency in finishing. The best chance fell to Felipe Anderson, who had the opportunity to turn the game around but was unable to beat the opposing goalkeeper.

Picking up points away from home in the Libertadores is always important, especially in a group that is likely to be evenly matched. However, the performance highlights the need for adjustments, particularly in defensive concentration in the opening minutes and in attacking efficiency.

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