Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira rewards youth player João Gabriel

Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira has highlighted the role of 19-year-old youth player João Gabriel in the professional team's preparation. João Gabriel, a right-back for the U-20 squad, has been utilized in training sessions to simulate the characteristics and movements of upcoming opponents.

Following Palmeiras' victory over Cerro Porteño in the Conmebol Libertadores, Ferreira announced that the performance bonuses for the youth players involved in the tactical preparation would be doubled. João Gabriel, who originally joined the club as a striker before transitioning to right-back, served as a leader for the group of academy players assisting the professional roster.

The coach noted that using academy players to replicate opponent behaviors is a known strategy within his training methodology. João Gabriel has previously participated in similar preparations, including for the Campeonato Paulista.