Credit: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras
With an eye on the Libertadores semi-final against Boca Juniors, Palmeiras visited Red Bull Bragantino this Sunday (01) with a completely reserve formation and lost 2×1. The match was valid for the 25th round of the Brasileirão Série A.
Verdão’s title chances in the national competition could decrease this Monday (02). Coach Abel Ferreira and his team are in 4th place, with 44 points, seven less than the leader, Botafogo. Glorioso still hosts Goiás, at 8pm, potentially increasing the difference to 10 points.
In the opinion of journalist Mauro Cezar Pereira, Palmeiras could be in better conditions to fight for the Brasileirão trophy. During the program Ball possessionfrom the portal UOLthis morning, the commentator stated that the Palestine club would need to have assembled a bigger squad for 2023.
“Whoever has money has to have a squad to be able to last the season, be able to rotate players, mix a team, have a backbone, make some variations. You have to prepare with a squad in Brazilian football. It has a swollen calendar with many games, it needs more players. I find it very curious how Palm trees he has the financial means to hire, the fans ask for it, and even so he works with a ‘short’ squad. They can win the Libertadores, but that doesn’t change the strategy used, which is questionable to say the least. I think it’s practically impossible to compete at a high level in different competitions with a lean squad in Brazil”, he analyzed.
Verdão will have a few days to prepare for the most important clash of the year so far. On Thursday (05), at 9:30 pm, the ball rolls at Allianz Parque against Boca Juniors, in the second leg of the Libertadores semi-final. As the first leg, at Bombonera, ended in a 0-0 draw, whoever wins will guarantee a place in the final of the continental tournament. A new equality on the scoreboard will lead to the dispute going to penalties. The team that does best will face Fluminense or Internacional in the title decision.
