The Portuguese Abel Ferreira left Allianz Parque satisfied with what Palmeiras produced in the 1-0 victory over Santos. The coach made a point of talking about the qualities of his team, praised the collective delivery of the athletes and insisted praise achievements on the field. Commander alviverde also designed the classic with the Corinthiansnext Thursday (17), and asked for peace among the fans.
“We dominated at all levels. We could have gone at half-time with two or three goals because we created for that, we were consistent in defending ourselves, but today was a game against a difficult team, with a lot of history. The important thing is that we played a solid game and we concede very little to our adversary. soccer that’s it, it’s playing well, playing ball and finding opportunities. We will continue to work”, said the Palmeiras coach at a press conference.
Emphatic in his answers, the Portuguese returned to praise the work of his coaching staff and recalled the trajectory he built at the club and the titles won with the squad. Owner of the best campaign of the Paulista Championship so far and already preparing for the start of the knockout stage, Abel gave his rivals a nudge by saying that other teams have much more obligation to win the state championship than Palmeiras.
“We have to realize that Palmeiras is in a continuous process, when we arrived at Palmeiras this was our team, our squad. Most are here, there have been no major changes. Our players are the same as when we arrived. Just like me , the players grew within Palmeiras. We are a team that seeks to evolve each time and we have a sequence of work. I’ve already said it and let it be clear: there are teams that have much more responsibility for winning Paulista than Palmeiras. the clear priority of Mundial and Recopa, Paulista comes as a sequel”.
Verdão’s next opponent, by the way, is rival Corinthians – one of the teams also named as favorites for the Paulistão title. The Derby will be played next Thursday, at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at Allianz Parque, and the coach insisted on calling the crowd for the classic. Outside the stadium, however, Abel asked for peace and an end to conflicts between Palmeiras and Corinthians.
“We know it’s going to be a great Derby, I hope it’s done and played on the four lines. Our fans can respect our opponent and help us win on the four lines. Rest assured, in peace, and that on the pitch be a great game. We against them and we will play to win. Outside, we will respect our opponent. We will here in our house join our forces and play to win”, concluded the commander alviverde.
Read, in full, the press conference by coach Abel Ferreira:
About Palmeiras campaign in Paulistão
“We have to realize that Palmeiras is in a continuous process, when we arrived at Palmeiras this was our team, our squad. Most of them are here, there were no major changes. Our players are the same as when we arrived. I, the players grew up within Palmeiras. We are a team that seeks to evolve each time and we have a sequence of work. I already said and let it be clear: there are teams that have much more responsibility for winning Paulista than Palmeiras. We enter this season with the clear priority of Mundial and Recopa, Paulista comes next. Once again, we are the only team that plays every two days, every three days, and I need to change players after each game. standard, great game today, once again. That’s how it works, I’m happy for the crowd that can be seen in our way of playing, in the commitment of our players and the more united we are, the more feared we will be. Palmeiras is that, it’s focus, it’s a lot of work, It’s quality in your game. The destiny of these players is to break records, this gives confidence to be more experienced and believe in them more. Wherever, whenever, let’s play that way.”
How do you evaluate Palmeiras’ offensive production? Is the absence of a striker missing?
“Our team is a bit of a back-up. We play in the back, we don’t create goalscoring opportunities, they don’t play, they don’t propose, they don’t win, they don’t break records. It’s a pleasure to train these players, this team knows what they’re doing. I change the centre-backs, I change the goalkeeper, I change the striker and the team maintains the standard. People who follow Brazilian football, especially the older ones, know more than I do that it is completely different to play at home and away from home. from São Paulo away from home at Paulista for 25 years. Here in Brazil, it’s different and that’s something that commentators have to analyze. What we have to do is this: pace and intensity. Make the players arrive in the goal area, in the crossing area. That’s my job. Outside, we play against the opponent and against the crowd. That’s why there is a big difference here between playing at home and playing away. Whoever has to analyze needs to do that, but the important thing is is what we, the Palmeiras family, recognize. what are we going to continue to do. Palmeiras need to be competitive, it’s true that we don’t have international players who played abroad, but with our humility we’re going to bring water to our mill”.
On the symbology of the captain’s belt to midfielder Raphael Veiga and the expectation of a call-up to the Brazilian team that did not materialize
“Recognizing his importance for us. I had a conversation with our leaders, with Rocha, with Gómez and with Weverton. They are great men, of great character. They understood the intention, the idea and that’s what is important. complete, one that scores, that attacks, robust and we want him to stay for many years at Palmeiras”.
About using Jorge in Piquerez’s absence
“We know that we are going to run out of players because of the selections. Piquerez had not been called up and now he has been called up again. We could lose Kuscevic, Gómez and Weverton. In the past, we had two or three and now we will have more, as a result of work We have to be prepared. We believe in Jorge, he played a good game today, and we want to evolve. At left-back we have two great players. Today it was by choice, but when Piquerez goes to the national team, Jorge will play”.
On Gustavo Gómez’s request for release from the Paraguayan national team
“If I were president of a club, I would be very angry because I pay salaries to players and I’m without them. We’re going to be without Weverton, Kuscevic, Gómez, Piquerez and there’s Veiga who goes and doesn’t go. Once again I give my opinion. The clubs and the entities that organize the championships are also responsible. If we don’t think globally, if we think only about money, we’ll run out of players. I don’t understand that. It’s urgent in Brazilian football and I do everything to value football, not just the Palmeiras. If we want to have better shows, clubs have a responsibility, federations have a responsibility to organize calendars that allow the championship to stop on team dates. We have to think about it. I like being here and I won’t be influenced by what others think. I will give my opinion, I will think about what is best in Brazilian football. My opinion is, and I accept the different opinion, that until we have this vision it will be difficult to improve the quality of the game. It is impossible to have a competitive team. It’s a joy to see my players in the national teams, Palmeiras has to feel happy for that, it’s the result of everyone’s appreciation. I am absolutely sure, and you can write there, that this will be the future”.
What will be Palmeiras’ stance in the Derby?
“It’s a very important game, but I’ll repeat it again: it’s a classic, it has to be played and it will be here at Allianz. I count on your help to defeat our great rival, that’s how it has to be. against them inside Allianz Parque, not outside. We need them, this atmosphere on the field, this rivalry, we will welcome them and play another game to continue on this journey with the intention of always winning”.
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