ANALYSIS: Specialists, Palmeiras don’t always have to be the ‘turnover team’

Verdão’s ability to transition from a negative to a positive scenario is very commendable, but avoiding the need for this device appears to be less strenuous

Paulistão Finale, Copa do Brasil and now Copa liberators. Three games in which Palmeiras had to turn the score around to clinch a win, all in just under two weeks. It is more than proven that Abel Ferreira’s side have this ability to react to a negative result. However, after beat Cerro Porteño 2-1last Thursday, is it possible to avoid having to use this “team turnaround mode” so often?

It is not difficult to notice that in these three moments mentioned above, the merits of the opponents were facilitated by a certain indolence of the alviverde team. It was like this in the first match of the Paulistão final, then in the first half of the opening phase against Tombense, and now the entire first half against Cerro. Clearly the team didn’t compete as well as they should have in these duels. Both Abel Ferreira and Dudu even hinted at this lack of “footprint” at Morumbi last Thursday.

LIBERATORS OF THE PALM

– There is a moment in which we won’t have the turning point, if we continue to make these mistakes, these hesitations, but it will serve as a lesson for everyone and for us to start concentrated from the first half to seek victory – warned the number 7 in the zone mixed stadium of são-paulino.

Anyone who has seen the game has certainly seen a Palmeiras very different from what it has been in recent victorious years. As the Portuguese manager himself often says, if Verdão doesn’t match his opponents in will, there will be a serious problem. And this is happening regularly, more than expected for such an organized team and so far above the others in this collective aspect.

Lack of imagination in passing, error in passing the ball, inattention in positioning, less resentment, exacerbated individualism, “soft foot” in tackling… All factors that have been seen in these recent matches by Alviverde and by several players, some who usually do not have these problems. It turns out that this team works so much like a cog, that if one piece is out of phase, it will compromise all the others. At this level football does not forgive.

The ability of this Palmeiras to go from a negative result to a victory is commendable. The team know how to react, manage to keep a strong mentality and turn that momentum into goals. However, at what price does this happen? Increased wear and tear, increased risk of losing a player to injury, exposure to opposing counter-attacks, and so on. In the midst of a tight and physically demanding schedule, will Verdão be able to afford the luxury of always being the “replacement team”?

That doesn’t seem to be the case. In this way, Abel Ferreira and his team have to find a way to reduce the need to overturn matches as much as possible. Although the coach appreciates what the opponent has done to complicate life at Palmeiras, it is not possible to exclude the ease these rivals have found in piercing this solid defence. As Dudu said above, it won’t always be possible to turn the game around. Living on that edge tends to bring negative consequences in the medium and long term.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.