Sport Recife is chasing another boost in the Brasileirão as they head to the Allianz Parque to face Palmeiras in round 21, with a potential return to the starting lineup for Pablo, the club’s top scorer in 2025 with seven goals.
Since arriving earlier this year, Pablo helped Recife lift the Pernambuco Championship and, despite not starting since the FIFA Club World Cup break in June, remains the team’s leading scorer for the season. His last start was on June 1 against Mirassol in the 11th round. During the Brazilian league’s resumption, the 92 shirt suffered a right calf muscle strain that kept him out of the wins against Botafogo and Vitória. Fully recovered, he returned to action for the last two rounds, coming on as a substitute in the victory over Grêmio in Porto Alegre and in the draw with São Paulo in Recife.
With Derik Lacerda suspended for a third yellow card, Pablo is in the running to open against Palmeiras, a foe that brings back fond memories for the forward. Across his career, he has found the back of the net five times against Palmeiras, three of those goals coming at the Allianz Parque. Two particular moments stand out.
First, in 2021, while at São Paulo, Pablo helped his team clinch the Paulistão after a goalless draw away and a 2-0 home win at Morumbi, earning a place in the tournament’s dream team and finishing the season as São Paulo’s top scorer. The following year, in the Libertadores semifinals with Athletico Paranaense, he again influenced the tie against Palmeiras. After a 1-0 win in Curitiba, Palmeiras led 2-0 in São Paulo, but Pablo scored and assisted Terans to level the aggregate, and Athletico advanced to the final in South America’s premier club competition.
“Those are important moments we’ve lived in my career, and we like to remember them to inspire the next game. Our team is in a recovery championship. The club isn’t where we’d like to be, and each of us knows the responsibility to treat every match as a final,” Pablo said.
“We know it won’t be easy. Palmeiras has one of the strongest squads in Brazil, but we go there with a clear objective to pick up points, as we’ve done in recent games, and to keep our reaction going,” added the 92.
What this could mean for Sport Recife
– Pablo’s return could sharpen Recife’s attacking options and help with hold-up play and creation, especially with Lacerda out suspended.
– A positive result would bolster Recife’s momentum in their uphill climb back up the table and provide a psychological lift ahead of upcoming fixtures.
– The clash also serves as a litmus test for the team’s resilience after a period of recovery and key injuries.
Summary
Pablo’s expected inclusion for the trip to Palmeiras adds a potent goal-scoring option for Sport Recife as they seek to extend their unbeaten run and climb higher in the standings, while Palmeiras remains a formidable test. If Pablo delivers, it could mark a turning point in Recife’s campaign and fuel a renewed belief in their rebuilding phase.
Positive note
If Sport can capitalize on Pablo’s form and the squad’s broadened depth, they have an opportunity to harvest a valuable point or more at a tough venue, reinforcing the club’s resolve and signaling a brighter phase ahead.