Palmeiras Prioritizes Player Rest and Strategic Preparation Ahead of Copa Libertadores Final
Palmeiras prioritizes player rest and tactical preparation as they gear up for the Copa Libertadores final against Flamengo after a recent Brasileirão loss.
- • Palmeiras lost 3-2 to Grêmio but rested key players for the Libertadores final.
- • Coach Abel Ferreira preserved 11 important players to ensure physical readiness.
- • Full squad, including injured players, traveled to Lima on November 26 for the final.
- • Ferreira criticized refereeing inconsistencies in the Brasileirão but remains focused on the Libertadores final.
Key details
Following a 3-2 defeat to Grêmio on November 25 in the Brasileirão, Palmeiras has shifted focus towards the upcoming Copa Libertadores final against Flamengo, scheduled for November 29 at Estádio Monumental in Lima. Coach Abel Ferreira opted to rest key players during the Brasileirão match, with only three of the eleven preserved players listed to play; two of them entered as substitutes. This measured squad rotation aims to ensure top players remain in peak physical condition for the final. The preserved athletes include Carlos Miguel, Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Piquerez, Bruno Fuchs, Andreas Pereira, Raphael Veiga, Allan, Flaco López, and Vitor Roque. After part of the delegation traveled to Porto Alegre earlier in the week, the full squad, including injured players Weverton, Lucas Evangelista, and Paulinho (who won’t play), flew to Lima on November 26. Palmeiras will utilize the three days leading up to the final for focused preparation in Peru. Despite the recent loss, Ferreira defended his decision to rest players, emphasizing the importance of the Libertadores final and expressing dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions during the Brasileirão, referencing inconsistencies and the pressure referees face. He praised Palmeiras' strong first-half performance against Grêmio but acknowledged defensive errors and controversial officiating influenced the outcome. Palmeiras aims to become the first Brazilian club to win the Copa Libertadores four times with this final encounter against Flamengo.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.