Abel Ferreira reunites with Martín Anselmi, who nearly joined Palmeiras in 2020 | OneFootball

Palmeiras face Botafogo at Allianz Parque on Wednesday, a seventh round Campeonato Brasileiro tie that reunites Abel Ferreira with Martín Anselmi.

According to Nosso Palestra, Anselmi almost joined Palmeiras in 2020 as Miguel Ángel Ramírez's assistant, with negotiations following Vanderlei Luxemburgo's departure.

Ramírez was in demand after guiding Independiente del Valle to the 2019 Copa Sudamericana, playing modern, attacking football and promoting academy talent. That approach appealed to the Palmeiras hierarchy, who wanted a bolder profile.

Talks between Palmeiras and Ramírez were concrete, with meetings, information exchanged and internal expectation that a deal could move forward. Anselmi would have been part of the backroom team, but the agreement never materialised and the coach chose not to proceed, sending Palmeiras back to the market.

Ferreira and Anselmi later met in their Club World Cup opener in 2025 in the United States, when the Argentine was Porto head coach. The match finished 0-0.

Kick-off at Allianz Parque is 19:00, Brasília time, on 18 March.

Source: Nosso Palestra