Sao Paulo and Palmeiras coaches meet and exchange praise on the eve of Paulistao final | Paulista Championship

The tone of the conversation between Abel Ferreira and Rogerio Ceni was complimentary. Accompanied by Gustavo Gomez and Rafinha, the two embraced before the start of the Paulista Union press conference. Then each analyzed his opponent’s strengths.

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Abel’s praises to Cini

For Abel, the state’s decision will pit the two best teams in the competition against each other. The Portuguese remembered the 1-0 win at Morumbi in Valverde during the group stage, as Sao Paulo put a lot of pressure on them, especially in the second half.

Speaking of the opponent, you have a sample of what the game was like there (in Morumbi). It started off well and we opened the scoring. We pushed our opponent back, very well organized, a team that plays with a lot of people inside, with young and experienced players. Above all, I am very happy, because the two best teams made it to the final, which is not always the case. This shows the merit and work of the coaches, two teams and two clubs – said Abel.

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– I think in this first match he has that advantage with his fans. Sao Paulo is very strong at home. Let’s try to impose our game. We are against them, our intentions are the same as theirs, we respect them a lot, but we want to win. It is our goal. It is a well qualified team. I played against Ruggiero a few times, and I heard on the other side of the world that he was the goalkeeper who scored the most goals in the world. I never in my life dreamed of crossing the Atlantic and playing against it as a coach. It’s my pleasure.

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Abel noted that Ruggiero tends, over time, to make São Paulo more powerful.

– (Oh Seni) In a short time he was able to implement his idea of ​​the game, 4-2-2-2 is a hard way to stop, has a lot of movement. They went through a turbulent period and turned around and reached the final with a competitive maturity. We see a team with operations, with an identity. For this process to be more uniform, like Palmeiras, it needs time. It depends on who is leading the clubs, and you have to have the courage to realize the proficiency you have.

Guardiola, in the first year of City, did not win anything. He eventually arrived and renewed the contract. He wants the Champions League title for five or six years, and nothing. He has been working for Liverpool and Klopp for five or six years. It is difficult here to work with longevity. Here they want to win yesterday, and they think that changing the coach is luck. We say our prayers and they are. Forget it, God doesn’t play the game. It just gives us the health to worry. Whoever leads the operations must trust this process. Is it good regardless of the outcome? That’s what I believe in.”

Sene praises Abel

Ceni, in turn, listed Ferdao’s ways of playing and praised Abel by saying that no one can beat Albertadores without merit.

– We can’t reveal everything. The coach is clearly decoding the other team, Palmeiras has a quick attack, two important players in the frame, they start with three in defense… The problem is that they are talented. We also believe in the collective and individual potential of our players, the young players who mainly make up the middle sector of our team – said the Sao Paulo coach.

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In our house, we know that playing Palmeiras on Sunday with only Palmeiras fans is difficult, so we will try to win. It’s a match where both teams try to win in their system, but both are trying to win at any cost. Nobody wins Belbertadores by chance, but wins group management and work – he added.

Ruggiero highlighted the solidity of Abel’s work at Palmeiras.

– He has a definite scheme. From the moment he won the Copa Libertadores, the coach has gained strength, the club trusts him a lot, gives him freedom of action. From there, Palmeiras begins to have different shapes: different pieces and models, so that they can adapt to the opponent, with a longer team defensively. This first title makes Abel more comfortable, and makes Abel more relaxed.

Palmeiras is not an interactive team. It is a team that adapts to the opponent. He may have won a title interactively, but he doesn’t have that qualification.

The coaches were asked who they would like to get from the opposing team on their teams.

Sao Paulo has a great team, a great coach, and like Palmeiras, they are striving to be champions. We have a slight advantage because we are working longer. It’s a final, said Abel Ferreira.

– I can praise everyone in Palmeiras. It’s a whole team, several players from the national team, like Gustavo (Gomez). I could get a lot of compliments, but what matters is those who wear the same shirt as me. They are the people I have to appreciate, said Ruggero Ceni.