Brazil’s remarkable achievement in the Copa Libertadores is unprecedented, as no nation has ever won seven titles consecutively. This success has been achieved despite the intense physical demands placed on the country’s top players.
Flamengo and Palmeiras have established themselves at the forefront of South American football, capturing the last five continental titles between them. Flamengo is poised to secure the Brazilian Serie A title shortly, celebrating their victory in Saturday’s Libertadores final with a 1-0 win. Meanwhile, Palmeiras is expected to finish a close second in a league where the championship has been dominated by either the Mengão or the Verdão over seven of the past ten seasons.
However, such success comes at a cost, resulting in a grueling schedule that takes a significant toll on players.
Most of the Flamengo and Palmeiras players represented their national teams during the recent FIFA international window, participating in matches across Europe, Mexico, and the United States before returning to domestic action the following day. With the two teams competing fiercely for the national title, there was no opportunity for any player to ease up.
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The anticipated “final of the century” between Flamengo and Palmeiras in Lima failed to live up to its hype, devolving into a battle marked by attrition. This final was a stark contrast to their recent league clash, which had been a thrilling encounter.
Flamengo emerged victorious in that league match 3-2, showcasing a plethora of goals compared to the sparse action in Lima. Officially, Flamengo recorded only two attempts on target—though most viewers would recall only Danilo’s flying header from Giorgian de Arrascaeta‘s corner that clinched the game. Danilo’s participation was only secured due to first-choice fullback Leo Ortiz‘s unavailability from an exhausting schedule.
Reports from the Palmeiras camp indicated the squad was nearing a physical and mental crisis, which influenced coach Abel Ferreira’s cautious approach. Opting for a “0-0 is fine” mindset, he relied on his team’s ability to contain the Flamengo offense, hoping to capitalize on any openings later in the match.
A moment of lax marking on a corner ultimately changed the match’s outcome; Allan failed to track Danilo’s run, while Bruno Fuchs couldn’t adequately cover. Palmeiras could argue they were unlucky when Flamengo’s Erick Pulgar avoided a red card for a reckless tackle on Fuchs. Nonetheless, in the decisive match in Lima, Flamengo undeniably proved themselves the superior team and earned their victory.
Missing centre forward Pedro due to injury and the absence of his likely substitute Gonzalo Plata due to suspension weakened Flamengo’s attacking force, likely boosting Palmeiras’ confidence in their defensive strategy. It isn’t surprising that the only goal came from a defender; Danilo is a seasoned player known for his versatility across the back line, a quality valued by coach Carlo Ancelotti for Brazil’s national team.
Flamengo’s coach Filipe Luis may see some of himself in Danilo. After stepping away from playing left back two years ago to coach the youth team, he quickly transitioned to the senior squad after a Libertadores elimination. His coaching career is off to a promising start. This Libertadores victory was somewhat unexpected; Flamengo is usually known for their free-flowing, high-scoring style, as evidenced by their higher league goal tally compared to Palmeiras (74 to 60).
However, their continental performance was less prolific, scoring only 13 goals in the Copa Libertadores compared to Palmeiras’s 30. Flamengo faced near-elimination during the group stage, overcame a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals, and advanced to the final with a defensive effort in the semis. Their campaign included only one truly impressive performance—a commanding 2-0 win against Internacional in the knockout round. Still, they achieved a historic fourth Libertadores title, becoming the first Brazilian team to do so.
With the season still ongoing, Flamengo aims to secure the Brazilian title at home in Rio’s Maracana Stadium on Wednesday. If unsuccessful, they have another chance on Sunday, followed by an upcoming trip to Qatar for the Intercontinental Cup, where they will face Mexico’s Cruz Azul. Victory there could lead to a clash with Pyramids of Egypt, and a final meeting with Paris Saint-Germain, capping off a busy year before the next Brazilian league campaign kicks off in January.
The action never ceases, prompting thoughts that the quality of play could benefit from a much-needed breather.