Analysis: Palmeiras rotate, dominate Jacuipense in training exercise | OneFootball

Palmeiras treated qualification for the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil like an extension of training. Without needing to step up the pace at any point, the team beat Jacuipense 4-1 on Wednesday night at Estádio do Café in Londrina and sealed its place with a 7-1 aggregate score.

The match had a training-session rhythm at several moments. And not only because of the opponent’s weakness, as they took the field already resigned after the 3-0 defeat in the first leg, but also because of the ease with which Palmeiras controlled every aspect of the game.

Abel took advantage of the comfortable situation to rotate the squad and give young academy players a chance. Names like Benedetti, Luighi and Erick Belé started the match. During the game, Luis Pacheco, Riquelme Fillipi and Larson also came on. Players considered backups maintained the technical level and showed a clear understanding of the Portuguese coach’s ideas.

Even with so many changes, Verdão kept its collective structure intact. The team controlled possession, occupied the attacking half almost the entire time and pressed a completely pinned-back Jacuipense.

Felipe Anderson delivers an inspired performance

Among the standouts, Felipe Anderson was the main name of the match. Operating freely on the flanks, he was directly involved in three goals: he provided assists for Maurício and Erick Belé, in addition to scoring Palmeiras’ second goal.

He was also the team’s main creative outlet. Constantly finding spaces in the opposition’s defensive block, he managed to speed up the game individually whenever Palmeiras had trouble breaking through.

The movement of the No. 7 made life easier for younger players, especially Luighi and Erick Belé, who found channels to attack the Bahia side’s defense.

Palmeiras stays in control even when it slows the pace

Even after taking the lead in the first half, Palmeiras did not lose control of the match. In the second half, the situation became even more comfortable. Luighi won and converted a penalty in the opening minutes, turning the final stretch into an exercise in game management.

Jacuipense barely attacked. Marcelo Lomba’s first save only came in the closing minutes, when Vicente scored the consolation goal for the Bahia side in one of its rare attacking moves over the 90 minutes.

What now?

The qualification keeps Palmeiras alive in every competition this season. Leaders of the Brazilian Championship, the club now turns its attention to the clash against Cruzeiro on Saturday, in the 16th round, on Saturday (17).

With 34 points, Verdão remains at the top of the Brasileirão table with a four-point lead over Flamengo, second in the league.

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