Abel takes responsibility for defeat in Cuiabá: 'This is one of those defeats that hurts less'

"The responsibility lies with the coach. I think I didn't have the art to mobilize the team. We know the responsibility it is to represent Palmeiras, but we didn't go in with our competitive machine turned on. We gave ourselves space and came in a little unfocused", said Abel at a press conference.

The coach explained that he had set three objectives for the match.

"The first was to win the game, then rotate the squad and evaluate the level of some players. The biggest objective was not achieved, which was victory", he said.

For the Portuguese coach, Palmeiras, like any team, goes through good and bad times.

"It's a good thing that the bad moment came at a time when it could have come. This is one of those defeats that hurts less. There are no excuses for the result. We have to apologize to our fans for the effort of coming here", he declared.

Palmeiras returns to the field on Sunday, at 4pm, to face Internacional in the 22nd round of the Brazilian Championship. The team leads the competition with 47 points, eight more than Flamengo.

Son of Ypiranga player dies aged 2 after accident

Benício, son of striker Gustavo Simões and Letícia Vieira, succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalized. The family authorized the donation of the child's organs, which could benefit other patients