João Martins on Palmeiras win, Abel’s FIFA break absence: ‘Deserved’ | OneFootball

With a hat-trick from Vitor Roque, a collective stunner and a lot of intensity, Palmeiras thrashed Internacional at the Allianz Parque by 4 to 1, this Saturday (13). Palmeiras' goals were scored by: Vitor Roque (3) and Lucas Evangelista.

The next Palmeiras game is in the quarter-finals of the Conmebol Libertadores, against River Plate, in Argentina. The game will be next Wednesday (17), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).

With Abel Ferreira suspended, João Martins led the Palmeiras team in the match against the club from Rio Grande do Sul and spoke to the press after Verdão's thrashing.

Speak, João Martins!

FIFA DATE AND BRUNO RODRIGUES

"Every day that passes, every month, we are evolving as men, players and coaches. It is not common for a club like Palmeiras to undergo such a major overhaul and remain competitive at the top of the table. With this, every day, hours and minutes, we manage to convey our message and improve our work." - he said.

"We didn't have the full squad, as some players went to represent their national teams, but even so they know what it means to wear the Palmeiras shirt. And, from the moment they go, they take Palmeiras with them.

"To Bruno, only he knows everything he went through — his family, all of us who live with him daily, know that he faced the worst that a football player can go through. It was almost two difficult years. Only he can really talk about it. It's not easy to overcome so many adversities and get to today. He told us that it seemed like he was playing his first game as a football player. He is a champion. Moments like this transform us as men and human beings, and give meaning to everything we do. Many would not be able to go through this. Bruno is to be congratulated, and I hope that all the luck in the world accompanies him, that he scores many goals — that's what he works for, and that's why we want him here at Palmeiras." - he commented.

FACUNDO IN PLACE OF MAURICIO AND ANDREAS

"Mauricio had a week off due to a lumbar problem and, today, it was a technical decision. Andreas performs several functions in his team — he plays as 8, as 10 — and we are giving various options. The coach's role is to choose the best, and let him get grey hair and headaches (laughs). The only thing he needs to do is work every day." - he said.

ABEL ABSENT ON FIFA DATE

FLACO LÓPEZ CALLED UP

"Flaco is a clear example of the patience we need to have with players. He arrived at 21 in a winning squad, which already knew what it was to win, and arrived with a lot to learn. In a club like Palmeiras, it's hard to have that patience: let him learn, let him make mistakes — and he made many, both as a player and as a professional." - he said.

"In the beginning, for example, he had problems that resulted in fines: every month, the club deducted part of his wages. He also had difficulties in the early hours of the day, something that never happened again. This is natural, it's a matter of age, it's a maturing process."

"Today, he has gained 7 to 8 kg of lean mass. Before he was skinny; now he is a more consistent player, with the solidity he didn't have before." - he completed.

AND NOW?

Palmeiras visits River Plate on Wednesday (17), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), for the first leg of the Libertadores quarter-finals. For the Brasileirão, the team returns to the field next Saturday (20), when it hosts Fortaleza at Allianz Parque.

Next Palmeiras games

Palmeiras x Fortaleza – Brasileirão – 20/09 (Saturday), 9 pm (Brasília time)

River Plate x Palmeiras – Libertadores – 17/09 (Wednesday), 9:30 pm (Brasília time)

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