Atlético-MG and Botafogo define, this Saturday (30), who will be the great champion of the Copa Libertadores. At 5pm (Brasília time), the ball rolls for the duel between the black and whites, at the Mâs Monumental stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for the Libertadores final.
Galo is looking for a second championship in the tournament. The team led by Gabriel Milito will try to repeat the feat achieved by the club when the team became champions of the continental competition.
In 2024, the team was leader of Group G with 15 points. Galo also went through San Lorenzo-ARG (round of 16), Fluminense (quarter-finals) and River Plate-ARG (semi-final).
The team is competing in the final of the competition for the first time in history. The team, led by Artur Jorge, aims to win an unprecedented title in the Rio team’s gallery.
In 2024, the Rio de Janeiro team’s journey to the Copa Libertadores began in the second preliminary phase. The team eliminated Aurora-BOL and RB Bragantino to win the group stage.
Glorioso finished second in Group D with 10 points. Then they eliminated Palmeiras (eighth), São Paulo (quarter-finals) and Peñarol-URU (semi-final).
In addition to winning Eternal Glory, it means participation in two other tournaments for the great champion. The team that lifts the title this Saturday will compete in the Intercontinental Cup and also the Club World Cup Super.
The journey to the Intercontinental Cup will begin on December 11th, the Libertadores champion will face Pachuca-MEX, in Doha, Qatar. On December 14th, the winner of this clash will face Al Ahly-EGI, for a place in the final, against Real Madrid-ESP, on the 18th.
The Super Club World Cup will take place between June and July 2025. The draw to define the groups will take place on December 5th.
How the teams arrive
Botafogo arrives confident for the match. The Rio team beat Palmeiras 3-1, this Tuesday (26), at Allianz Parque, in São Paulo. The victory put Glorioso back in the lead of the Brasileirão.
The team has lost just once in the last ten games. The defeat was against Peñarol-URU, in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores, on October 30th. In the other games, there are five wins and four draws.
Galo has the best campaign in the Libertadores. In the continental tournament, there are 12 games with eight wins, two draws and two defeats.
However, the team is going through a difficult time this season. The team led by Gabriel Milito is going through 10 matches without a win: six defeats and four draws.
The last victory was in the first game of the Copa Libertadores semi-final, against River Plate, 3-0, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte, on October 22nd.
Atlético-MG lineup
To assemble the lineup, coach Gabriel Milito has only two absences. Midfielder Zaracho suffered a muscle injury against São Paulo, last Saturday (23), in Series A of the Brazilian Championship; while striker Cadu is recovering from surgery following a serious knee injury.
In a press conference this Friday (29), Milito stated that he will choose the team without surprises for the grand final duel. However, the coach did not reveal what the lineup will be.
Therefore, the main possibility is the use of the so-called “main team”, known to fans and which has been used in the most important games: Everson; Lyanco, Battaglia and Junior Alonso; Gustavo Scarpa, Alan Franco, Fausto Vera and Guilherme Arana; Paulinho, Deyverson and Hulk.
An alternative that can be considered by Milito is to activate Deyverson only in the second half. If the Argentine coach makes this choice, it is possible that Saravia will be used as a right winger, leaving Scarpa further forward in the attack line.
Botafogo lineup
O Botafogo finalized, this Friday (29), the preparation for the final of the Copa Libertadores. Coach Artur Jorge will have a decision to make and set up the defensive system.
The Portuguese commander has a question about composing the defensive system. Defender Bastos, the starter, suffered a muscle injury in the victory against Palmeiras, last Tuesday (26), in São Paulo and is expected to be absent. With this, Adryelson emerges as the main name to start the game.
With this, Artur Jorge will have on the field: John; Vitinho, Adryelson, Barboza, Alex Telles; Marlon Freitas, Gregore, Savarino; Tiago Almada, Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus.
In addition to Bastos, Uruguayan Mateo Ponte was sent off in the semi-final and cannot be used.
Millionaire prize at stake
The Libertadores champion will receive a prize of 23 million dollars from Conmebol. This represents R$132.5 million.
With the classifications over River and Peñarol, Atlético and Botafogo guaranteed another US$7 million (around R$40.3 million at current prices). This is the amount that Conmebol will allocate to the runner-up of the tournament.
With the amount raised for going to the decision, including the runner-up prize, Atlético has already guaranteed US$16.9 million (around R$97.3 million at current prices). Galo began competing for the title in the group stage.
Botafogo, in turn, has already guaranteed US$17.34 million (around R$99.9 million at current prices), including the amount raised for going to the decision and the prize given to the runner-up. Unlike Galo, Glorioso started the competition in the 2nd elimination phase.
The values of the 2024 Libertadores prizes
- Group stage: US$3 million (R$17.3 million) + US$330 thousand (R$1.9 million) per victory
- Round of 16: US$1.25 million (R$7.2 million)
- Quarter-finals: US$1.7 million (R$9.8 million)
- Semifinal: US$2.3 million (R$13.25 million)
- Runner-up: US$7 million (R$40.3 million)
- Champion: US$23 million (R$132.5 million)
Retrospect of the confrontation
Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro have faced each other 84 times in history in seven different competitions: Série A of the Brazilian Championship; Brazilian Cup; South American Cup; Conmebol Cup; Brazil Cup; Roberto Gomes Pedrosa Tournament; and Heleno Nunes Tournament.
In total, the advantage belongs to Botafogo, who won 36 duels. Atlético prevailed 27 times, while another 21 games ended in a draw.
In the last ten meetings, Glorioso won five times, against Galo’s four triumphs and one draw. In the most recent duel, on November 20th, the teams were 0-0 at the Independência stadium, in Belo Horizonte, for the Brasileirão.
Atlético x Botafogo
Atlético-MG
Everson; Lyanco, Battaglia and Junior Alonso; Gustavo Scarpa, Alan Franco, Fausto Vera and Guilherme Arana; Paulinho, Deyverson (Saravia) and Hulk. Technical: Gabriel Milito
Botafogo
John; Vitinho, Adryelson, Barboza, Alex Telles; Marlon Freitas, Gregore, Savarino; Tiago Almada, Luiz Henrique and Igor Jesus. Technical: Arthur Jorge.
Reason: Copa Libertadores de América final
Local: Mâs Monumental Stadium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Data: November 30, 2024
Time: 5pm (Brasília time)
Arbitration: Facundo Tello-ARG, assisted by Ezequiel Brailovsky and Gabriel Chade, also from Argentina
OUR: Mauro Vigiliano-ARG
Transmission: TV Globo, ESPN, Paramount+ e Disney+
