It’s a fattened Palmeiras returning after the month-long Confederations Cup break. The already large squad – mostly due to the extinguishing of the B team – has been inflated by Mendieta, Menezes, Kardec and, in a matter of days if not hours, Eguren. With more than 40 players in the squad, Kleina has received the mission to deflate: even practice sessions suffer due to the exaggerated numbers. Maurício Ramos and Maikon Leite have already left for Sharjah (Emirates – for good) and Umm-Salal (Qatar – one-year loan) respectively. Expect more to follow.
Coach Kleina yesterday announced the 20 players traveling to Presidente Prudente to take on Oeste in the seventh round of the Brasileirão B on Saturday: keepers Fernando Prass and Bruno; centre-backs Henrique, André Luiz and Tiago Alves; wingbacks Luis Felipe and Juninho; defensive midfielders Charles, Wesley, Márcio Araújo and João Denoni; offensive midfielders Mendieta, Tiago Real, Valdivia, Serginho, Ronny and Fernandinho; strikers Caio, Vinicius and Leandro. Apart from the novelty of having Valdivia and Prass back from the medical department, Luis Felipe (previously on loan to Penapolense) replaces Ayrton on the right flank. Menezes and Kardec are not yet in physical conditions and were left out.
Yours truly expected the announcement of a master sponsor during the break, but drew a blank. Yesterday, president Nobre signed an agreement with the philanthropic institution Santa Casa: the logo will feature on Palmeiras’ jersey in the coming two home games at the Pacaembu – the 12th against ABC and the 30th against Icasa. The haemorrhage continues…
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 