Palmeiras coach defends Gabriel Jesus amid goal drought


Rio de Janeiro, Oct 31 (IANS): Palmeiras coach Cuca has leapt to the defence of Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus after the teenager's goalless run in the Brazilian Serie A football championship extended to seven matches.

Gabriel looked out of sorts as Palmeiras lost 0-1 away to Santos on Saturday. Despite the result, the Sao Paulo outfit remain firm title favourites, leading second-placed Flamengo by five points with five matches remaining, reports Xinhua.

"He's being heavily marked," Cuca said on Sunday. "We tried him at center forward then on the left, then on the right but he wasn't able to find space. It was just one of those days. It happens with all great players."

Jesus, who scored 10 goals from his first 14 league matches this season, has netted just once for Palmeiras since being signed by Manchester City in August.

However his form at international level has been superb, with four goals from as many matches.

"Despite being so young he is crucial to the team," Cuca said. "I have to try to help him rediscover his best form so that he can make a difference in the home straight."

Jesus will join his new club Manchester City in January.

  

Top Stories


Leave a Comment

Title: Palmeiras coach defends Gabriel Jesus amid goal drought



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.