Abel Ferreira was Captain Courage!
First by climbing Allan, who asked for a passage after his gigantic performance, improvised as a right back, in the final minutes against Inter Miami.
Then, for taking Stephen.
There were curious criticism, after having heard, throughout the week that if Stephen had stated not being able to focus on the imminent trip to Chelsea, had to leave the team.
Abel did not resign his most skilled player.
He climbed his most decisive and put Luighi to mark the side, releasing Paulinho for the missing definitions.
Paulinho decided, and Palmeiras deserved the victory over Botafogo in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup.
The best feature of Palmeiras is the pressure. You can see from above, at stadiums, teams like Manchester City, Bayern and Real Madrid behave the same way as Abel Ferreira’s team outside their opponents to play. Marking man to man, without plenty.
If you miss the boat, it gets dangerous.
The worst thing about Abel Ferreira’s team is the difficulty of scoring goals against strong teams. Amazing how Palmeiras suffers in the big games, against rivals of their level. For failing in finishes, not being accurate, risks and loses games that could win.
It’s great to see that Brazilian teams play in very similar ways to the best in Europe. This is not the individual quality, but the most current tactical notions. Palmeiras marks in the attack. Botafogo retreats its players, waits and counterattack. Thus he won Paris Saint-Germain.
There is not just one way to play.
Botafogo defended himself.
Palmeiras made pressure.
The attack, sometimes the attack.
Of the many qualities of the Club World Cup, which Gianni Infantino said was a success, one of them is not the time. Repetition of World Cups of 1970 and 1986, in Mexico, 1994, in the United States, matches with beginning to noon are a violence against the game.
Mainly with extension.
In normal time, Palmeiras was better than Botafogo, ended 13 times against five alvinegras, three on the target, triple of the alvinegro. But it doesn’t define. Amazing how Palmeiras has difficulty winning games against the most difficult opponents, since they won the Brazilian two -time championship.
He was eliminated by Flamengo in the Brazilian Cup and Botafogo in Libertadores, lost the Brazilian tri at home against Botafogo, fell against Corinthians in the final of Paulista. It presses, deserves, does not mark.
Botafogo was the most impressive Brazilian team in Super World, for winning Paris Saint-Germain. And, on the other hand, the least changed the logic of Brazilian football: to defend itself, instead of attacking, when facing big club tournaments.
Abel Ferreira is different. Play assaulting. “They say I always do the same,” Abel reacted, learning that Javier Mascherano had praised his ability to vary his style, sometimes marking by attack, sometimes retreating to counterattack.
Against Botafogo, the two styles were worth.
He pressed at the beginning, then countered, killed Botafogo with Paulinho and with intelligent change.
Palmeiras deserved a lot!
