Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira discussed the standout elements of their victory over Botafogo and shared his team’s approach to the tougher challenges that lie ahead in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The giants from Sao Paulo overcame their local rivals in a tense match, clinching a gritty 1-0 win after extra time, thereby securing their place in the quarter-finals.
Paulinho’s crucial goal in the 100th minute at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia marked a significant milestone, ending his team’s five-match winless streak against the Rio de Janeiro outfit.
Even after Gustavo Gomez received a second yellow card, putting the team at a numerical disadvantage, they managed to maintain their composure and advance, much to their coach’s delight.
“Even though we were one man down, we effectively contained them and managed to thwart their entire attacking efforts,” Ferreira expressed.
“We earned this victory because the match extended over 90 minutes plus extra time, and throughout, I believe my team outperformed our opponents, which justifies our progress to the next round.”
This result has propelled Ferreira’s squad to an impressive record, with 10 wins and just two draws in their last 14 matches across all competitions.
Moreover, the Alviverde have kept five clean sheets in their previous seven FIFA competition encounters, including three in four matches during the current FIFA Club World Cup.
FERREIRA DISCUSSES GAME PLAN FOR STRONGER OPPONENTS
Palmeiras are set to face Chelsea in their quarter-final match on Friday, with aspirations for a place in the semi-finals.
When queried about how his team intends to mentally recuperate for the upcoming tougher test, especially after their grueling 120-minute encounter, the former PAOK and Braga manager replied: “Before every match, I discuss our strategy with the players.”
“If we are in the lead, we talk about how to manage that advantage. Conversely, if we are trailing, we discuss how to ramp up our aggression.”
“Even when down a player, we need to know how to contain our opponents, just as we did against Botafogo, or shift to a more aggressive stance if need be. They understand my strategies because we have worked closely together for the past five years.”
“I know them well, and they know me. With a few discussions, we can adjust our approach as we did on Saturday, even while one player short.”
“We deployed three players in the midfield, with one playing as a defensive midfielder, one more advanced, and kept our formation tight. Our striker wasn’t directly up front but drifted to the half-space on the left. The wingers were instructed to track the opposing full-backs, allowing us to solidify our presence in the midfield since their attacks would likely involve crosses.”
“It requires an extra effort, and we must suffer together. I often remind them that in moments when we can’t control the ball, as we experienced in the last 15 minutes against Botafogo, we need to remain resolute and give our all.”
This match will mark the second face-off between Palmeiras and Chelsea, with the Blues having previously triumphed 2-1 after extra time in the final of the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.
Historically, English and Brazilian teams have clashed seven times in this tournament, with English sides winning four and Brazilian sides securing three victories.
Prior to this tournament, English clubs were riding a three-match winning streak, which was interrupted by Flamengo’s 3-1 win over Chelsea in the group stages.
Paulinho, a standout for Palmeiras, is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on as this encounter promises to be an exciting contest. The Brazilian international has netted three goals and provided two assists in six outings across the CONMEBOL Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup, notably contributing to all five goal involvements while starting on the bench.
_______________________________________________
Sponsored:
FIFA Club World Cup – Every Match, Free, exclusively on DAZN.
Click here to begin your streaming experience.
_______________________________________________
Flashscore
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
