Palmeiras, ‘with more experience’, goes for his revenge in the Club World Cup

With a spirit of revenge and motivated to fight, the palm trees of brazil traveled this Wednesday to Abu Dhabi to dispute the FIFA Club World Cup as a representative of South American football.

Dozens of fans bid farewell to the São Paulo team, winner of the last two editions of the Copa Libertadores, as they left the training center for the Sao Paulo international airport, from where they left for the United Arab Emirates.

“Everyone’s positive energy is very important, it’s additional motivation,” midfielder Danilo said in an interview released by the club.

Led by Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira, the squad that has won the most times in the Brazilian league will seek revenge in the Club World Cup after a disappointing performance in the previous edition.

Then, Palmeiras, who have never won the Club World Cup, signed the worst performance of a South American team when they fell in the semifinals with Tigres from Mexico and against the Egyptian Al Ahly in the duel for third place.

“We arrived better prepared than last year, with more experience, but we are going to face the best in the world,” Ferreira said at a press conference on Tuesday.

“I never promised any fan that we are going to win everything, but we are going to do everything possible and prepare to win. That is our purpose,” he pointed out.

Palmeiras travels with a delegation of 27 footballers, including goalkeeper Weverton, Paraguayan center back Gustavo Gómez, midfielder Raphael Veiga and striker Rony.

Uruguayan winger Joaquín Piquerez and attacker Gabriel Veron contracted covid-19 and were unable to board, although Ferreira hopes they will recover and be able to travel before their debut.

The ‘Verdão’ will debut in the semifinals on Tuesday with the winner of the duel between Al Ahly and Monterrey of Mexico.

In the other key, Chelsea awaits the rival that will emerge from the winner between Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia) and the winner of the preliminary round, which on Thursday will be played by the local Al Jazira and the Pirae of Tahiti.

European teams have won the Club World Cup uninterruptedly since 2013. Corinthians de Sao Paulo was the last eleven from South America to win it (2012, against Chelsea in Japan). (D)