Palmeiras and Defensive Absences: The New Hope is Bruno Fuchs!

Palmeiras has just secured an important victory over São Paulo, but that also kicked off a tough stretch due to defensive absences. With players suspended, the coaching staff, led by Abel Ferreira, had to find solutions. And who stepped in as the new hope? Bruno Fuchs!

Bruno Fuchs’ Comeback

In the classic against São Paulo, Fuchs returned to the starting lineup after more than three months out. It was all due to Alexander Barboza’s suspension, who received a red card for an elbow strike in the match against Botafogo. There was an expectation that Verdão would switch to a back four, but the staff decided to keep a three-defender setup and started Fuchs alongside Gómez and Murilo.

The last time Fuchs saw himself in the starting XI was in the win over Chapecoense at the end of May!

Challenges Ahead

With the Data Fifa approaching, Palmeiras still has two more matches before that, and the absences continue:

• Wednesday (16): A meeting with LDU in the Libertadores, but Gustavo Gómez will be out due to his third yellow card.
• Sunday (20): A clash against Grêmio in the Brasileirão, and Murilo will also be suspended for the same reason.

If Abel Ferreira wants to keep the three center-backs in the tactical setup, Fuchs could be the ideal solution. But let’s not forget there are other options: the young Benedetti or midfielder Emiliano Martínez could also be brought into the defensive line—an approach the coach has tested in the past.

Returning After a Long Recovery

Bruno Fuchs is making the most of this opportunity after a long time sidelined. He had problems with a thigh injury and, when he finally returned, he needed to undergo an appendicitis procedure at the end of July.

Since his recovery, Fuchs was ready to play, especially after the loss to Fluminense. However, he didn’t get many opportunities. Up until the match against São Paulo, he was on the bench in seven of Verdão’s last eight games. In one of the rare moments he did step onto the pitch, he played just nine minutes in the Round of 16 clash against Cerro Porteño in the Libertadores.

Doing the Best He Can

After the win over São Paulo, Fuchs shared a bit about how he’s been feeling. He admitted that sitting on the bench isn’t at all pleasant and that the expectation is always to help the team. Still, he said he supported his teammates and wished the team success.

“It’s unlikely I’d end up with a grumpy face—I just waited for my chance. It was up to me to play in the derby and we managed to leave with the three points.” - Bruno Fuchs

This season, the defender has played only 15 matches and still hasn’t scored any goals. He arrived at Verdão at the beginning of 2025, initially on loan from Atlético-MG, and was later signed permanently, with a contract running until the end of 2029.

Wrapping Up the Plot

Bruno Fuchs could be the key piece for Palmeiras to maintain its defensive setup while dealing with the absences. Anxious fans now hope he makes the most of this new chance and shows his full potential in the matches coming up!