Palmeiras got a scare, but they’re heading back from Peru with a 3-2 win over Sporting Cristal in their first group stage match of the Libertadores.
They were down 2-1 with just minutes to go.
Estêvão scored first at 38 minutes, but Pretell and Tavara turned it around for the Peruvians.
Then Piquerez tied it up with a penalty at 82 minutes, and Richard Ríos sealed the deal at 90+3.
Abel Ferreira’s team was on a three-game winless streak, including a loss to Corinthians in the Paulista final.
The Portuguese coach referenced a famous Roberto Carlos song, saying “football is like that” – it’s all about the emotions.
He wants his team to play aggressively and take it to the end.
Ferreira values this win: “football is about winning.”
Despite two losses in 18 games, it feels like everything is going wrong.
He thinks the team needs to match Sporting’s attitude and aggression.
They need to bring that intensity and mix it with their own creative players.
In another group match, Cerro Porteno beat Bolivar 4-2.
Palmeiras plays Cerro Porteno at home on April 9, but first, they face Sport Recife in the league.
Next Matches
- Palmeiras vs Sport Recife (league)
- Palmeiras vs Cerro Porteno (Libertadores, April 9)