Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira plans changes for Chapecoense clash

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·29 Mei 2026

Palmeiras line-up: Abel Ferreira plans changes for Chapecoense clash

Having qualified for the round of 16 of the CONMEBOL Libertadores after a 4-1 win over Junior Barranquilla-COL on Thursday night (28) at the Allianz Parque, Palmeiras returned to training on Friday morning (29) at the Academia de Futebol and began preparations for the clash against Chapecoense, scheduled for Sunday (31) at 4pm, at the club’s home arena, in the 18th round of the Brazilian Championship.

Leading the national competition with 38 points, Verdão held technical drills under Abel Ferreira’s coaching staff. Without Gustavo Gómez, Ramón Sosa, Mauricio, Jhon Arias, Flaco López, Giay and Emi Martínez — released to join their respective national teams — in addition to the starters, who underwent recovery work in the recovery and neuroscience center, the rest of the squad took part in specific training focused on build-up play from the back, marking, and creating plays in tight spaces.

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The main updates involved defenders Benedetti and Bruno Fuchs. Benedetti began the physical transition process after suffering a sprained right ankle, while Fuchs trained fully with the group.

Lomba speaks!

After training, goalkeeper Marcelo Lomba highlighted the strength of the squad in maintaining its level even with changes to the lineup. The keeper is expected to start on Sunday due to Carlos Miguel’s suspension. Andreas Pereira and Giay are also serving automatic suspensions for yellow-card accumulation.

It’s an important match, like all the others, especially when you’re at the top of the table. At this moment, when we’ll have some changes, we have to believe in the strength of our work, in the consistency of our day-to-day routine and our preparation. The group is ready, we’ve been training exhaustively. We’ll still find out who the players are that will play, but we already know what Abel asks of us, and we’ve known each other for a long time now, with several players always getting minutes. We have to go in focused, and I’m sure that physically and in terms of desire we’ll be at the highest level to face Chapecoense.

The goalkeeper also stressed that the squad is fully focused on securing another win before the break for the World Cup.

Total focus on this match, we’re not thinking about anything else. Ever since we secured qualification in the Libertadores, our full focus has been on Chapecoense. It’s a very important game, and there are three valuable points at stake for us to stay on top in a good position and with confidence as well. After that there will be a long break, and we’ll be able to prepare again, practically like a pre-season. In my mind and in the minds of all the players, the Chapecoense match is our only focus. We’re going after the three points so we can head into the break with a good advantage.

Finally, Marcelo Lomba spoke about the players called up to represent their national teams and highlighted how proud the group is of those call-ups.

It was a huge joy and a great reward to see our friends able to achieve this dream. Palmeiras comes out of these call-ups even stronger, and we’ve been part of their journey up to this point. Each of them has written a beautiful story, and I’m sure they’ll be cheering for us and following us as well. They’re part of this here. And we’ll be cheering for them and hoping that we do our job well and keep moving forward on this path.

What now?

After qualifying for the Libertadores round of 16, Palmeiras says goodbye to the players called up for the World Cup. So far, Jhon Arias and Flaco López have been called up. Emiliano Martínez, Piquerez (already with the national team), Maurício, Ramón Sosa and Gustavo Gómez, for Uruguay and Paraguay respectively, are awaiting the call.

This Sunday (31), Verdão returns to the field against Chapecoense at 4pm (Brasília time), in an important Brazilian Championship match.

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