Two late goals conceded ring alarm bells for Palmeiras before key run | OneFootball

Reaching the Libertadores semifinal did not hide a problem Palmeiras showed in Quito. After reaching the 90-minute mark with a 2-1 lead over LDU, Verdão conceded two goals in stoppage time and needed penalties to stay in the competition.

Michael Estrada scored in the 45th and 48th minutes of the second half. Both goals came from aerial plays and turned what looked like a comfortable qualification into a penalty shootout.

Palmeiras advanced thanks to two saves by Carlos Miguel in the shootout, but the way the team lost control of the match serves as a warning for the decisive stretch of the season.

Palmeiras lost control in stoppage time

Abel Ferreira started the match with Bruno Fuchs, Benedetti, and Murilo forming a back three. The system also included defensively minded midfielders, but it still did not prevent LDU from finding space in the air.

The first Ecuadorian goal, scored by Luis Segovia, had already come from a corner kick. In stoppage time, Estrada again took advantage of balls played into the box and scored twice with headers.

The problem was not just the number of defenders. In the final minutes, Palmeiras dropped back, gave the opponent more space, and struggled to stop the crosses. Inside the box, they also failed to win the duels that could have ended those attacking moves.

Episode contrasts with previous solidity

The stoppage-time display was out of line with the team’s recent defensive performances. Before the match in Quito, Palmeiras had kept clean sheets in six of its previous eight games.

For that reason, LDU’s three goals do not necessarily represent a trend yet. The episode did, however, expose an issue that needs to be fixed: difficulty dealing with aerial balls when the opponent presses with many players and the team ends up defending close to its own box.

Physical fatigue was also part of the coaching staff’s assessment. After the match, assistant coach Vítor Castanheira linked the late-game problems to the tiredness caused by the altitude and the flow of the match.

The context helps explain the drop-off, but it does not remove the need for adjustments. Fluminense, Palmeiras’ next Libertadores opponent, has players capable of attacking the box and taking advantage of crosses, second balls, and set-piece situations.

Gustavo Gómez returns against Grêmio

Palmeiras was without Gustavo Gómez in Quito, as he was suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. Even though he could not play, the captain traveled with the squad and took part in the preparations in Ecuador.

Gómez will be available again on Sunday (20) against Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship. His return gives Abel more options to reorganize the defense, but the coaching staff will also need to consider the fatigue of the players who performed at altitude.

Verdão will have less than four days between the match against LDU and the game in Porto Alegre. After that, there will be a longer break until the match against Bahia, scheduled for October 8.

Palmeiras’ upcoming schedule

The gap between Grêmio and Bahia will give the coaching staff time to work on defensive corrections. In October, the schedule will become crowded again, with two Brazilian league matches before the continental semifinal.

Frequently asked questions

When did LDU score the comeback goals against Palmeiras?

Michael Estrada scored in the 45th and 48th minutes of the second half. The two goals took the tie to penalties.

Why didn’t Gustavo Gómez face LDU?

The Palmeiras captain was suspended after receiving his third yellow card in the Libertadores. He is cleared to face Grêmio in the Brazilian Championship.

Who will Palmeiras face in the Libertadores semifinal?

Palmeiras will face Fluminense. The first match will be at the Maracanã, while the return leg will take place at Nubank Parque.

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