Analysis: Palmeiras wins, but Abel runs into old problems from the Luxa era | palms

There were few occasions created before an opponent worried about closing with two lines (one of five and one of four athletes) and without leaving space between them. In this scenario, the Palmeiras failed, although it has shown to have quality parts to break this problem until it is considered chronic in the team.

First, Matías Viña. The left-back, team leader in the season (seven), once again stood out in individual duels and has established himself as one of the great names of the team. The number 17 will be lost in the next matches, while defending Uruguay in the qualifiers.

Second, Lucas Lima. In a skillful play, at the first touch of the ball, the 20 jersey made the difference: it deceived the rival and ended up knocked down inside the area. Luiz Adriano squandered the penalty, but scored on the rebound and secured three important points, responsible for bringing the team closer to the title fight.

From the main positive point, the defensive system again. Luan and Gustavo Gómez showed great confidence, Felipe Melo supported the entrance to the area and could fail due to an ankle injury. Weverton, by the way, ended up with just one great defense, stopping Vasco goalkeeper Germán Cano.

Despite the few chances created, Palmeiras played with advanced lines and occupied the Basque court for most of the game. Thus, the team had volume, controlled the rhythm of the game and dismissed the threats to the goal defended by Weverton.

Abel Ferreira himself drew at the press conference. Vasco closed with nine players, very close in two lines, and made the creation of Palmeiras very difficult. The team proved to be very plastered and with little movement, depending a lot on rare spaces to be able to threaten the rival goal.

Before the goal, for example, the best opportunity had been created in an exit by Ron, who finished badly and stopped in Fernando Miguel. The closed teams have been a Palmeirean “kryptonite” throughout the year, and Abel Ferreira faces this challenge in the face of a tight schedule and with almost no time for training.

This lack of time is even more terrible given the physical problems encountered this Sunday. Only against Vasco, Palmeiras lost Luiz Adriano, with suspected muscle injury, and Felipe Melo, who twisted his ankle and had to leave the field loaded.

Not a week in charge of Palmeiras, and Abel Ferreira will have the first big challenge before the tumultuous Brazilian calendar. On Wednesday, starting at 4:30 pm (Brasilia time), the team opens the match against Ceará, valid for the quarterfinals of the Brazil Cup, with a probable seven players unavailable.

There are four players summoned to the South American qualifying window (Weverton, Gabriel Menino, Matías Viña and Gustavo Gómez), a certain loss due to injury (Wesley) and another two very probable (Felipe Melo and Luiz Adriano).

This wave of problems is likely to continue into the weekend. Packed with three victories at Brasileirão, Palmeiras play on Saturday at 9.30 pm against Fluminense at Allianz Parque.