Opinion – PVC: Palmeiras debuts in the Paulista Championship looking at the World Cup

Palmeiras debuted in Novo Horizonte, for the marathon that could be 83 matches over the next nine and a half months, an average of one match every 2.9 days. The Copa do Brasil will make the madness of the Brazilian calendar a little worse.

In these circumstances, Palmeiras debuted in the season and repeated, for the first time, the tactical formation of the victory over Flamengo, in the Libertadores final.

Scarpa as left winger, Piquerez as third defender, defense with a line of five defenders, construction in 3-4-3, Dudu, Raphael Veiga and Rony as attackers.

The repetition of the winning system against Flamengo can also be a rehearsal to face Chelsea, which normally plays in an equal system. But the London blues won the classic against Tottenham, on Sunday (23), with Azpilicueta on the right side, a system with a four-man defensive line, different from what is traditional.

In theory, Thomas Tuchel changed the design just to accommodate Tottenham’s system.

Chelsea don’t care about Palmeiras.

Also because there is still no agenda for Palmeiras x Chelsea. Abel Ferreira’s team will have to beat Monterrey or Al Ahly if they want to play against the Champions League champions, in a hypothetical World Cup final. But it is for the FIFA tournament, in February, that Palmeiras is preparing.

Using the winning strategy in Uruguay is both a tribute and a plan. Honor the champions, plan the next challenge. In theory, the tactical system of the Libertadores final can be ideal for the eventual game against Chelsea.

The performance of Palmeiras in a bain-marie was more than expected, due to the heat in Novo Horizonte and for the first performance after 45 days. Important to listen to the instructions. Before the first technical stop, Abel asked Dudu to play more wide on the right. In this new role, shirt 7 scored the second goal, at the beginning of the second half.

Against Flamengo, Abel asked and saw Dudu pull Filipe Luís to the middle, opening the aisle for Mayke to offer the pass for Raphael Veiga’s goal.

At the end of the first stage, Palmeiras scored 1-0 in a kick from outside the area by Zé Rafael, with Rony making the pivot.

As the performance against Novorizontino became bland, it became clear that Abel Ferreira could change. Tested Atuesta, Wesley and Gabriel Veron.

At this point, forget winning or losing at state. Palmeiras prepares for the World Cup.

If the semifinal rival is Al Ahly, the system will mirror that of the Egyptians. Monterrey’s Mexicans play in a 4-1-4-1. Against Chelsea, the current system is mirrored, as long as Thomas Tuchel repeats what he has accomplished and not what he showed against Tottenham.

Anyone who knows Abel Ferreira knows that he is putting together the team for the season, but with his eyes first on the 8th of February. Do you have a different palmeirense?

Things worked out, but the eyes are on the February games.

Unlike last year, when they debuted at the World Cup eight days after winning the Libertadores, now Palmeiras train and prepare for commitments against Monterrey, or Al Ahly, and, perhaps, against Chelsea.

WINNING TECHNICIAN

Alex is Brazilian under-20 runner-up and semi-finalist of the Copa São Paulo, for São Paulo. It’s already a winner, no titles. He says, “I’m a big believer in training.” It was like a player. Now think. Brazil’s teams can play 83 games in nine and a half months.

SEM CANTILLO

Okay, it’s state. By the current calendar, it’s not a tragedy. But the season in Brazil starts on a FIFA date. Cantillo would be a starter for Corinthians and will not play, called up by the Colombian national team. Just to remind you: when national teams play, a Brazilian team cannot play.