Who can stop Palmeiras and Flamengo? It’s a question that clubs across South America have so far been unable to find an answer to.
Not just in the Brasileirão, but also in the Copa Libertadores, as Palmeiras and Flamengo look set for another showdown in the final, which would be their third meeting in just five years.
Fluminense and Estudiantes will be hoping that they can stop the two current juggernauts of Latin America.
Palmeiras v Fluminense
Kicking things off on Wednesday evening is Palmeiras versus Fluminense.
Both sides have tasted success in the Copa Libertadores in recent years, with Fluminense winning the tournament for the first time in 2023 at the Maracanã, following a 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors after extra time.
Palmeiras also lifted the trophy after extra time in 2021, following a victory over Flamengo in Montevideo, where this year’s final will also be played.
Last year, Palmeiras suffered heartbreak in both the Brasileirão and Copa Libertadores, finishing runners-up in both competitions, including a 1-0 defeat to Flamengo in Lima.
The first leg saw Palmeiras take the lead after a great lung-bursting run from Joaquín Piquerez, who worked hard to set up Flaco Lopez, who wasted no time in finishing. Goalkeeper Fábio will feel he could have done better to deny López.
The goal came right on the stroke of half-time, quite possibly one of the worst times to concede.
Then, in the 85th minute, Palmeiras doubled their lead with a lovely header from Felipe Anderson to tee up Marlon Freitas.
Fluminense would be offered a lifeline ahead of the second leg in São Paulo, as a rising header from 18-year-old Wesley Natã gave them hope of turning the tie around.
It was a great cross from right-back Guga, who worked hard just to keep the ball in play before delivering a looping ball into the box.
The pattern of the match at the Nubank Parque in São Paulo is likely to be similar to the one that played out in Rio de Janeiro. Palmeiras are likely to defend in numbers and play on the counter-attack, with Flu looking to dominate the ball as they did in the first leg.
However, Palmeiras do have that shock factor, where they sometimes like to come flying out of the blocks, surprising the opposition and looking to nick a goal or two in the opening 15 minutes.
If they manage to do that, it would leave Fluminense with a massive mountain to climb, which they already face heading into the second leg.
Flamengo v Estudiantes
Flamengo and Estudiantes’ tie is well and truly in the balance following a goalless first leg in Argentina.
Estudiantes will be disappointed that they couldn’t take advantage of playing at home and head to Rio de Janeiro with a goal advantage. However, they will know their job in Rio will be to frustrate Flamengo, try to hit them on the break and use set pieces as a real asset.
That is what they did in the first leg, evidenced by centre-back Santiago Núñez recording the highest expected goals (xG) in the match, as he found himself on the end of several crosses and set pieces. However, he couldn’t find a way past Agustín Rossi.
Rossi had a solid game, making six saves throughout. For Estudiantes, Fernando Muslera didn’t have a single save to make, meaning Flamengo will be hoping to provide a better attacking output on home soil.
Their game plan was simple: frustrate Estudiantes, don’t concede a goal and return to the Maracanã, where they will be expected to be more attacking and adventurous.
With the tie at 0-0, everything is still to play for.
Estudiantes last won the Copa Libertadores in 2009, which was also the last time they reached the final. They are four-time winners and have finished runners-up on one occasion.
The same can be said for their opponents Flamengo, who are also the defending champions, having won four Libertadores titles and lost just one final.
Last season, as touched on earlier, they lifted the Copa Libertadores after beating Palmeiras 1-0 thanks to a Danilo header.
They will be eager to reach the final again, where they would face either rivals Palmeiras or Fluminense.
However, Estudiantes will be hoping they can cause an upset and reach their first Copa Libertadores final in 17 years.