Palmeiras face Bahia with no full session, Abel weighs changes across the team | OneFootball

Palmeiras face Bahia on Thursday 8 at 21:30 Brasília time at Nubank Parque, and will go into the 29th round without a full squad session after the international break.

According to Nosso Palestra, the staggered return of call-ups is the main complication, cutting collective preparation time this week.

Paraguay’s contingent is due back first, with Gustavo Gómez, Ramón Sosa and other Paraguay call-ups expected in on Tuesday 6. On their return, staff will assess each player’s workload, minutes and travel fatigue.

Jhon Arias and the Argentine pair Flaco López and Agustín Giay are set for longer journeys and are only expected back on Wednesday 7. Uruguayans Piquerez and Emiliano Martínez are also scheduled to rejoin closer to matchday.

As a result, Abel Ferreira will not have a single training session with every player available. He has yet to fix his starting line-up and is weighing changes in defence, midfield and attack.

In defence, the return of internationals could alter the side used during the break, with physical condition to be checked on an individual basis.

In midfield, Jhon Arias could gain minutes, subject to his condition after Colombia duty and travel. In attack, Flaco López is another option, to be assessed before selection.

The line-up is likely to be set late in the week once medical and fitness data are combined with post-arrival training impressions. Priority is to identify who can start and who is better held for later in the game.

After Bahia, Verdão begin a decisive run of fixtures across the Brasileirão, Libertadores and Copa do Brasil.

Source: Nosso Palestra

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”