SAO PAULO (AP) — Flamengo and Palmeiras will both go in search of their fourth Copa Libertadores titles and South American bragging rights when they clash on Saturday.
The two teams have each won the Copa twice in the last six years and they’ve also competed for Brazilian league supremacy for almost a decade.
Flamengo and Palmeiras have been favorites at every edition of the Copa since 2019. Financially troubled at the start of the 2010s, the clubs are now economic powerhouses after making big signings and finding good stability.
According to Transfermarkt, which specializes in valuing footballers, the two squads have a combined value of more than $470 million.
Flamengo coach Felipe Luis will rely heavily on two former Atletico Madrid players, winger Samuel Lino and midfielder Saúl Ñíguez, in the final. It is also likely to have former Italy midfielder Jorginho and Uruguay international Giorgián de Arrascaeta in the lineup.
Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira will be under pressure to land his third Copa with Palmeiras, especially because his team looks like losing the Brazilian league crown to Flamengo. He is hoping former Barcelona striker Vitor Roque can sparkle in Lima.
Four years ago Ferreira’s tactics were key as Palmeiras beat Flamengo 2-1 in extra-time after a mistake from another player who will be involved on Saturday.
Former Manchester United and Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira was then a Flamengo player. He lost the ball under pressure from striker Deyverson, who ended up scoring the winner.
The 29-year-old Pereira, who has also played for Brazil recently, says he has been troubled by that error every day since. But on Saturday he will be playing for Palmeiras.
“When we came back people wanted to destroy the bus, attack my house. We had to leave the bus early and get another car,” said Pereira, who joined Fulham five months after the final.
Whoever wins will give Brazil its 25th Copa title, equalling Argentina’s tally.
The champion takes home $24 million and a place in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup. It will also play in the Recopa against Lanús, who won the Copa Sudamericana last Saturday. The runner-up receives $7 million.
___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Mauricio Savarese, The Associated Press
