The coach's absence during preparations for the Libertadores quarterfinals against River and the doubts about his continuity are generating uncertainty among the fans
Palmeiras is going through a scenario as contradictory as it is unsettling. On one hand, it closed the Copa Libertadores group stage with overwhelming numbers: six wins in six matches, 18 goals scored, and only four conceded. On the other hand, the current institutional and sporting situation is marked by internal tensions surrounding its coach, Abel Ferreira.
The Portuguese coach traveled to his country for personal reasons and his absence, right before the match against River, caused dissatisfaction among the fans. The lackluster draw against Corinthians, along with the discontent accumulated after the elimination from the Copa do Brasil, only deepened the strain in the relationship between the coach and the supporters.
La relación entre el técnica y la hinchada está cada vez más tensa
Ferreira, two-time Libertadores champion in 2020 and 2021, has a contract until December and the management is seeking to renew it until 2027. However, the coach has not yet given a response and in Brazil there are reports that he has received inquiries from clubs in Asia and Europe.
In this context, the name of Artur Jorge emerged as a potential replacement, although his agent Hugo Cajuda clarified: "Whoever comes will not leave in the middle of the season".
Everything indicates that Abel will be on the bench against River, in a new clash with Marcelo Gallardo, a coach he has always publicly praised. Even so, the quarterfinal match arrives in a tense atmosphere, with Palmeiras strong in international results but surrounded by uncertainty regarding its coach's future.
When River and Palmeiras play
The first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals between the Millonario and the Verdao will be played on Wednesday, September 17 at 9:30 p.m. at the Más Monumental.
River recibirá a Palmeiras en la ida
This will be their first meeting since 2020, when they faced each other in the semifinals. Back then, the Brazilians secured their place in the grand final after winning 3-0 in the first leg in Argentina and holding on with a narrow 2-0 defeat in Brazil in the return match.
