Brazilian Teams Dominate Copa Libertadores
As this year's Copa Libertadores commenced, a pressing question emerged: can anyone halt the Brazilian dominance?
The answer has been a resounding "no." This marks the seventh consecutive victory for Brazilian teams, as the final, like four of the previous ones, features an all-Brazilian matchup.
The prestigious title will be contested by the formidable Flamengo and Palmeiras in the Peruvian capital, Lima, on Saturday, with live coverage available on BBC Three starting at 21:00 GMT.
The winner will become the first Brazilian club to lift the trophy four times, with most of these victories occurring during this recent era of dominance.
Before 2019, both clubs had secured one title each; thus, either Flamengo or Palmeiras has claimed the Libertadores in five of the last seven seasons.
The rivalry extends to the domestic league, where both teams have been vying for the Brazilian championship, with Flamengo recently pulling ahead.
With two rounds remaining, Flamengo leads Palmeiras by five points. Regardless of the outcome, this season will mark the seventh time in the past decade that these two clubs have shared the league title.
The rivalry between Flamengo and Palmeiras may be relatively new, but it has undoubtedly become the most significant clash in South American football.
Why These Two?
This unprecedented era of Brazilian dominance in the Libertadores is largely attributed to financial factors. As investments surged into Brazilian football and the clubs managed their historically tumultuous off-field situations, Flamengo emerged as a powerhouse.
Flamengo, one of the largest clubs outside Europe, is based in Rio de Janeiro but boasts a vast national fanbase. Its popularity can be traced back to the 1930s when the club rebranded itself by signing top black players, thus gaining widespread appeal across Brazil through radio broadcasts.
Palmeiras' presence among the elite is somewhat surprising, as one might expect local rivals Corinthians, the biggest club in São Paulo, to occupy this space. However, due to Corinthians' financial difficulties, Palmeiras has capitalized on the opportunity, securing a state-of-the-art stadium at minimal cost and effectively managing their resources.
Palmeiras, historically linked to São Paulo's large Italian community, was formerly known as 'Palestra Italia' until the Second World War necessitated a name change. Both clubs share a model of developing and selling young talent to fund a competitive squad.
In fact, Palmeiras has excelled in this regard, having profited from the sales of players like Estevao, Endrick, Luis Guilherme, and Vitor Reis, while Flamengo has benefited from the transfers of Vinicius Junior, Lucas Paqueta, and Matheus Franca.
The Final of the Century
These two teams last faced each other in the 2021 final, where Palmeiras triumphed 2-1, thanks to a costly mistake by former Premier League midfielder Andreas Pereira, who now plays for Palmeiras.
Both sides have strengthened their squads since that encounter, with financial resources allowing them to recruit top players from Europe and other South American leagues.
Flamengo's lineup in the final featured six foreign players, while Palmeiras fielded four non-Brazilians and brought in two more from the bench.
Participation in the Club World Cup has further enriched both clubs. This year, Flamengo has added players such as Jorginho, Danilo, former Tottenham right-back Emerson Royal, and Atlético Madrid's Saul and Samuel Lino. Palmeiras has strengthened its roster with goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, Paraguayan winger Ramon Sosa from Nottingham Forest, Andreas Pereira from Fulham, and striker Vitor Roque, the most expensive signing in Brazilian history from Barcelona.
This depth of talent is why Saturday's match is being touted as 'the final of the century.'
A Tale of Two Coaches
In recent years, few high-profile Brazilian players have transitioned into coaching, with Filipe Luis being a notable exception and a promising prospect.
The former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea left-back retired at Flamengo two years ago, initially taking charge of the youth teams before moving up to the senior squad after their exit in last year's Libertadores quarter-finals.
Intelligent and articulate, he appears to have a bright future ahead. His counterpart, Abel Ferreira of Palmeiras, has also established himself as a significant figure, having led the team for five years—a long tenure in Brazilian football.
Ferreira exhibits qualities reminiscent of a young José Mourinho, both in his passionate sideline demeanor and his tactical acumen, demonstrating an ability to adapt his team’s strategy during matches. His players are captivated by his approach, often noting, "He always has a plan." Ferreira's strategy for Saturday's match remains a key unknown.
‘It Is Going to Be Historic’
Following the loss of Estevao to Chelsea and a disappointing Club World Cup, Palmeiras had to reassess their strategy. Vitor Roque initially struggled but found success after Ferreira adjusted his positioning, moving him to the left channel and partnering him with Argentine striker Juan Manuel 'Flaco' Lopez.
While this duo proved effective, it did place additional strain on the rest of the team. This was evident in their previous encounter with Flamengo just over a month ago, where Palmeiras, despite being away, pressed high. Flamengo adapted by adopting a more direct style, resulting in a 3-2 victory that was perhaps more convincing than the scoreline suggests.
However, there are reasons to anticipate a different outcome this time. Flamengo's center-forward Pedro, who was outstanding in their last match, is sidelined due to injury, and Filipe Luis lacks a direct replacement. Potential options, such as Ecuadorian winger Gonzalo Plata, are unavailable due to suspension.
Consequently, Flamengo will need to alter their strategy, and it is likely that Palmeiras will also approach the game differently. The demanding Brazilian football calendar, characterized by extensive travel and numerous matches, has left players fatigued, which may compel Abel Ferreira to adopt a more cautious strategy, often his instinct in high-stakes matches.
Could he opt for a five-man defense? It's a possibility, as Flamengo thrives on stretching their opponents and creating space.