
(Staff Images/Conmebol)
Palmeiras is making history in the wake of a strange year for football in 2020
It may be said that South America could be dressed in green, after the great year of Palmeiras in 2020. The saga goes on into 2021. The team from Sao Paulo is making history in three major competitions, both at home and abroad.
All this after the astonishing victory in Argentina, by 3 x 0 over the powerful River Plate. Add the Brazilian Cup finals, and you have another major title the team would be disputing with the traditional Gremio, a though opponent, 19 games undefeated in national competitions. In the Brazilian Serie A, there is no chance of title, but a sixth place, for the time being, is a good position. The Tournament ends in February.
Nevertheless, what makes the Italian descendent team so victorious in this season 2020/2021? Basically, it is a set of factors. A solid management over the last years – something that is lacking in most Brazilian clubs – puts the club into the top five contender of any title that matters. Palmeiras, as whole, is a tough team, with at least three players defending its colors from national squads in South America. Gustavo Gómez is a good example. He is the backbone of the defence, both in the team and for his home nation, Paraguay. Weverton Pereira is there ever- dependable goalkeeper, regularly called by the Brazilian ‘Seleçao’ who already have 2 of the best goalkeepers in the English Premier League. There is also Matías Vinã, the left back, and was called up by Oscar Tabaréz, former coach of Uruguay, in recent games.

(Marcos Ribolli)
Palmeiras also has a surplus of very good players in key positions within their squad. In the midfield the level doesn’t have any real weakness. That is the difference from other teams in Brazil and the region. Too many players had to be loaned to other Brazilian rivals, so is evident the abundance of resources.
Two major factors complete this circle. The new coach, the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, has given the team a new perspective, with fresh new ideas after the poorly-organised reign of one of Brazil’s most travelled coaches, Vanderlei Luxemburgo, the last coach. Although the results of ‘Luxo’ were fine, with 17 victories, 14 ties and only 4 defeats. The large amounts of draws and the slow and pragmatic game were too much obvious and the Palmeiras loyal fans ‘Mancha Verde” were calling out for a more exciting style of play.

(Marcos Ribolli)
The supporters and the excited media demanded change, stating that Palmeiras would get better dividends if there was a shift of mentality. This change of command eventually came in the Mid-October, and the new coach quickly proved the supports were right. After Luxemburgo left the team kept beating all who came up against them in every national and international tournament. Vanderlei’s faults were betrayed by an old saying in Brazil: “If you want to be a Champion in Serie A, you cannot have to many draws”.
When Ferreira took charge, the squad and the players were given more freedom and the initiative to create and dictate the game. Victory after victory in The Libertadores and Brazilian Cup became a statement that Palmeiras might be the team of the year in the continent. Right up untill the end of December, the Portuguese coach had a positive 80% performance rate in all official games.
The expectations to the season 2020/2021 are now beyond ‘grandiose’ for what was expected in the beginning of the year. Almost finalist in Libertadores. Clashing with Gremio in the Brazilian Cup Final’s, and doing well in the national tournament.
Finally, what makes the squad so different, are the youngest players who are making the team react in the wake of so many games, through all these competitions. Gabriel Menino, only 20 years old, a midfielder, is one of them. Already called up to Tite’s Brazilian National team. Patrick de Paula, 21 years old, is another one, although playing as defensive midfielder, help win the Paulista state championship, scoring the last penalty against their main rival Corinthians, in 2020 first semester.

(Foto: Cesar Greco/Palmeiras)
These combinations of factors, and a very good squad are making 2020/2021, green years in South America. We will only know till the end of February if Palmeiras are a truly great side, but it is advised to be prepared to expect a green wave coming to the continent.
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