As Palmeiras prepare for their match against Al-Ahly in the second round of Group A at the Club World Cup, coach Abel Ferreira held a press conference where he discussed the limited playing time of forward Paulinho.
Ferreira stated, “I can’t use Paulinho for more than 30 minutes. When he does come on, he contributes significantly. It’s up to me to decide when and how to utilize him on the field. Certainly, he could help us for longer, but unfortunately, as he is not at 100%, I can’t deploy him more.”
Paulinho has participated in only 12 matches this season, clocking a total of 325 minutes, scoring one goal and making two assists. He joined Palmeiras at the start of the season for 18 million euros (approximately R$ 113 million) while two midfielders, Gabriel Menino and Patrick, were transferred to Atlético-MG as part of the deal. Paulinho is still working towards regaining his optimal physical condition after recovering from a stress fracture in his right tibia.
Palmeiras’ next match is set for Thursday at 1 PM (Brasília time) at the MetLife Stadium against Al-Ahly. Additionally, Abel Ferreira is currently on a yellow card and will face suspension in the next round if he receives another caution.
This situation highlights the strategic management of player fitness and the careful planning coaches must undertake to maximize their team’s performance in crucial matches. With Paulinho’s potential to grow as he regains fitness, there is hope that he will soon play a more significant role in helping Palmeiras succeed in the tournament.