Opinion – PVC: Palmeiras is champion of the tactic that is not static

Palmeiras left only Gustavo Gómez and Murilo in defense, released the two sides in the midline, along with Danilo and invaded São Paulo’s ground with five men. In the offensive movement, the pyramid of the beginning of the tactical history of the world. Five in front.

It meant leaving 17 players in a reduced space of 15 meters, between the line of the São Paulo defense area and the Palmeiras offensive intermediate.

In this scenario, it was normal for the goal to come out only from a dead ball. Palmeiras scored 30 times this year, 17 in rehearsed plays. Are you going to say that Abel Ferreira doesn’t work the attack?

“Ask my players how long I work on offense and how long on defense”, he challenges.

The Portuguese coach does not agree that excessive concentration in the defense takes the strength to attack, even after “cold head, warm heart” explains the replacement of Raphael Veiga, in the Libertadores final, due to his physical exhaustion.

The Campeonato Paulista final and the different strategies in the five classics of the campaign show the Portuguese as a tactical chameleon. He attacks rivals’ mistakes and defends himself against their strengths.

The first 28 minutes, in which Palmeiras made it 2 x 0 and tied the knockout match, prove Abel right. Attacked with up to eight players, with strategy.

With the tie and the characteristic of the team, the marking was delayed. It is possible to judge an error. But Palmeiras made it 3 x 0 in a counterattack led by Dudu at 2 minutes of the second half, finished by Raphael Veiga, as if he were a centre-forward.

Missing attack? Missing center forward? At this point, nothing is missing. Mistake is to judge a brilliant coach when he gets it right and stupid when he misses, as I said.

Palmeiras started to have what they like, the counterattack. But of the 32 goals of Abel Ferreira’s team this year, only 4 happened this way. The biggest dependence is on the dead ball –16 in free kicks, corners and penalties.

It’s not relying on counter blows. It’s knowing how to use them.

It’s not about excluding dead balls, but knowing how to use them.

It’s up for debate. From 15 shots in the first half, to just one until the 30 in the second half, Raphael Veiga’s goal. From 55% possession of the ball, to 44% after making it 3 x 0. From total control of the match, to call the opponent and bet that he won’t be able to get into their defense. Risk more than you need, given its quality.

On the other hand, tactics are not static.

Just like Rogério Ceni knows how to assemble his team according to each game and according to its difficulty. São Paulo was the team with the greatest evolution during the entire Campeonato Paulista. He used the boys, matured with Diego Costa –great performance at Allianz Parque– Pablo Maia, Rodrigo Nestor, lost his best player in the finals, midfielder Gabriel Sara.

It is not possible to demand from São Paulo the efficiency of Palmeiras. Even with all this, it proved to be a strong rival and has players to play a big role in the Brasileirão. Rogério Ceni is the technician for this and also for thinking about Tite’s succession.

All aside, Palmeiras is the best team at the moment. Strong in defense, quick in attack, smart enough to change the way he plays according to the circumstances of the game. Football is not a ready-made recipe.

​ball turns

Paulo Sousa has only 14 games and there are those who declare his failure at Flamengo. Brazil cannot continue to condemn works at the beginning or technicians to ostracism. Abel Braga is champion for Fluminense, three years after being kicked out of Gávea.

Santos exaggeration

Fabián Bustos may be a good coach for Santos, but filling the squad with Ecuadorians seems like an exaggeration. As if Ecuador was discovering more talent than the sacred ground of Vila Belmiro. The mix between youth and experience will be beneficial, in the right measure.