Palmeiras line-up: Abel set for changes against Athletico Paranaense

In partnership with

Nosso Palestra

·17 de abril de 2026

Palmeiras line-up: Abel set for changes against Athletico Paranaense

Palmeiras returned to training on Friday morning (17) at the Academia de Futebol, one day after the 2-1 victory over Sporting Cristal at the Allianz Parque in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. The team began preparations for the match against Athletico-PR, scheduled for Sunday (19) at 6:30 p.m., once again at the green-and-white arena, for the Brazilian Championship.

Top of the national competition with 26 points — eight wins, two draws, and one defeat — Verdão is enjoying a great run this season. After the Libertadores win, the starters took part in recovery activities at the recovery and neuroscience center, while the rest of the squad carried out a technical session on a reduced-size pitch, with the presence of youth academy players.

Vídeos OneFootball

Among the updates, forward Vitor Roque trained normally, as did Paulinho, who remains in the process of regaining full match fitness. Left-back Jefté, meanwhile, having recovered from a right thigh injury, began the physical transition phase.

Carlos Miguel speaks!

One of the standout performers in the win over the Peruvian side, goalkeeper Carlos Miguel praised the club’s current form and the importance of the result in the continental competition.

Yesterday’s win is hugely important for qualification. The Libertadores group stage is never easy — sometimes people say the matches might be comfortable, but they never are. They are great teams that fight until the very end; that is in the Libertadores’ DNA, it is tradition. We know that winning at home is very important to stay at the top. I was able to help, and I will always give my all to play my best football possible and help the team however they need. Thank God, I was able to contribute well, just as they also contributed to me. We are improving a lot collectively, and I am sure we will grow even more in the competitions and reap the rewards further ahead

The number 1 also commented on the team’s development throughout the season.

It was a complicated start to the season, with few days to train. But we have improved day by day, game by game, and that comes from hard work. We have to overcome the fatigue and work even harder to endure the whole year, which will be difficult. We are managing to reap great rewards — we won the Paulista, and we are first in the Brazilian Championship and in the Libertadores. That is very important and it is everyone’s merit. The players up front also help us a lot in defense; matches without conceding are important for us to come away with victories, and we will dedicate ourselves to the fullest, stay focused, and improve. Every second in football matters, every detail can change a game, and we have to stay focused. We know that, we are seeing the results of our work, and we will keep working this way

Finally, the goalkeeper looked ahead to the clash against Athletico-PR, highlighting the opponent’s level and Palmeiras’ strength at home.

We know how important the Brasileirão is. It is a long competition, and every point you pick up along the way is very important in the end. Athletico-PR are a great team and they are doing well in the league too. They are picking up points, playing well, and have already won matches. We know how difficult it will be, but at home we have a big responsibility. The fans know that when we are at Allianz Parque, we are all one. We know how important this match is, and we hope to come away with the three points

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