At least in theory, Palmeiras arrives for the Club World Cup in the 2021 season in better conditions compared to last season. In the tournament played in Qatar, in February this year, the team took fourth place, the worst ever achieved by a South American.
“We were at the physical and mental limit. That was inhumane”, complains Felipe Melo.
Because of the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Palmeiras decided to pass Libertadores against Santos on January 30, 2021. It then embarked for Doha and made the semifinal against Tigres (MEX) on February 7th. Lost by 1 to 0.
“The problem wasn’t just what happened on the field. We didn’t have time to adapt to the time zone, I couldn’t leave the hotel, without being able to sleep… On the second night, I was only able to fall asleep at 5 am and taking medicine . The Mexicans were already there for a week”, completes Melo.
After beating Flamengo by 2-1, last Saturday (27), Palmeiras was champion of the Libertadores for the second consecutive season (third title of the tournament in its history) and qualified to return to the Club World Cup.
The tournament will be held from February 3rd to 12th, 2022, in the UAE. In a draw made this Monday (29), it was determined that the Brazilians will make the semifinal against the winner of the confrontation between Monterrey (MEX) and Al Ahly (EGI). The Egyptians defeated the club alviverde in the dispute for third place, in Qatar.
With the end of most of the restrictions to fight the pandemic, despite the threat of the omicron variant, Palmeiras will be able to travel to the Middle East in better physical condition.
Unlike what happened at the beginning of 2021, he will have time to do pre-season and will be able to travel before the championship. Thus, it would adapt more smoothly to Dubai’s time zone (seven hours ahead of Brasília).
There is also the issue of reinforcements. President-elect Leila Pereira intends to seek new players in the market. This is to give your administration an initial breath and to satisfy the wishes of coach Abel Ferreira. It would be a way to encourage him to stay at the club, an issue that is not defined.
The Portuguese coach has frequently complained about the Brazilian football calendar. He claims that it’s impossible to do your best work having mid and weekend games in a row.
The reinforcements can be used at the Worlds in February, something that didn’t happen last season. Breno Lopes, scorer of the Libertadores title goal over Santos, could not be registered to play against Tigres and Al Ahly.
If they reach the final against Chelsea, the Brazilian team can also count on the rival’s concern with a competition seen as more important by the Europeans: the Champions League. The round of 16 of the competition starts on February 15th, two days after the end of the World Cup. But the date on which the English, already classified in the group stage, will play, has not yet been set.
To travel to the UAE, Chelsea will have their matches against Brighton and Arsenal, for the Premier League, postponed. The same will have to happen with a confrontation for the fourth stage of the FA Cup, if they qualify.
Palmeiras will have to reschedule five rounds of the São Paulo Championship: São Bernardo (30 January), Água Santa (2 February), São Paulo (6 February), Novorizontino (9 February) and Corinthians (13 February).
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