Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira acknowledged that the club is enduring a "bad moment" after Wednesday’s 1–1 home draw with Mirassol in the 14th round of Brazil’s Série A. The result extended the reigning champions’ winless run in the league to three matches and left the side fifth in the standings, four points adrift of leaders Flamengo. In a post-match press conference, Ferreira defended 19-year-old striker Vitor Roque, whose recent performances have drawn heavy criticism. “Sometimes it looks like he is playing with 50 kilos on his back,” the Portuguese manager said, urging patience while the forward regains confidence. Ferreira pushed back against suggestions that the current squad represents the weakest of his five-year tenure. He stressed that Palmeiras has never been stronger “sportively and financially,” citing more than €1.5 billion in player sales since 2020, including a recent €35 million transfer of a centre-back to Europe. He added that injuries to new signings and the integration of youth prospects have complicated the season but insisted the team remains alive in the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Libertadores. Palmeiras return to action on 20 July at home to Atlético-MG as they seek to close the gap at the top of the table.