Analysis: Palmeiras returns to being Palmeiras and suffocates rival to open advantage in Libertadores

Victory over Atlético-MG needs to be celebrated, mainly due to the resumption of the posture of the multi-champion team in recent years; tournament is the great chance of another title

The Palmeiras that beat Atlético-MG by 1 to 0, on Wednesday night, in Mineirão, for the round of 16 of Conmebol Libertadores, is completely different from the team that less than a month ago was eliminated by São Paulo in the quarterfinals final of the Brazilian Cup.

The lack of reaction was the hallmark of the defeat in the classic and a disqualification that seemed to be the beginning of a technical crisis. Exactly 19 days after the 2-1 defeat at Allianz Parque, Palmeiras became Palmeiras again.

The first half of the duel at Mineirão was the repetition of a scene that Palmeiras had tired of showing over the last few years under the command of Abel Ferreira. Defensively secure, Verdão also controlled, pressured and suffocated Atlético-MG.

With Raphael Veiga, Dudu and Rony commanding the attack, Palmeiras seemed to be playing at home and ignoring any balance that marked the last ten games against Galo before the first leg of the Libertadores quarterfinals.

Palmeirense pressure took effect in the 28th minute. Raphael Veiga took advantage of the opportunity at the entrance to the area to hit Everson’s corner and open the scoring. And the difference from the first stage could have been even greater. With wide dominance and facing a stunned Atlético-MG, Palmeiras wasted several attacks and the chance to go into the break with a wide lead.

With less intensity and more caution, Palmeiras in the second half showed another characteristic version of the team commanded by Abel Ferreira: coldness. With less possession of the ball, Verdão suffered more with Atlético-MG’s attacks and Felipão’s changes in search of a new panorama of the match.

Meanwhile, Palmeiras had the most open field to explore the counterattack. Abel stirred. Dudu and Artur left. Mayke turned winger with Jhon Jhon, with Rony advanced and Raphael Veiga with more freedom to come from behind. It lacked more organization than chance to expand the scoreboard.

Palmeiras’ great opportunity in the second half came in the 37th minute, but Jhon Jhon failed to take advantage of the open field and ended up being disarmed before finishing. In the last minute, with a free kick by the number 40, Alan Kardec hit the Atlético-MG post and almost scored an own goal in the attempt to cut.

Palmeiras managed to recover another positive point: the solidity of the defensive system, which practically did not suffer throughout the game played at Mineirão. If they don’t concede goals in the return match, Verdão will be in the quarterfinals of Conmebol Libertadores.

The window closed. Palmeiras did not hire. The club continues to need punctual pieces, that is undeniable, but Abel Ferreira was right when he demanded the recovery of the physical peak of his main players and said that the main reinforcement for the sequence of the season was within the club itself: Palmeiras is once again the Palm trees.