In a climate of anticipation for the Copa Libertadores decision, scheduled for Saturday (29), Flamengo and Palmeiras take to the field this Tuesday (25) in a journey that could define the title of the Brazilian Championship. The red-black team has an advantage in the national competition, close to confirming the victory.
Two results are needed for the champion to be known in the 36th round, two in advance. Flamengo needs to beat Atlético Mineiro, in a match scheduled for 9:30 pm, at Arena MRV, in Belo Horizonte. And they need to count on Palmeiras losing to Grêmio, in a duel scheduled for the same time, at Arena do Grêmio, in Porto Alegre.
The table currently shows the Rio team in the lead, with 74 points, against 70 for the São Paulo team. Cruzeiro, with 68, still has the mathematical possibility of finishing the dispute first. Mathematician Tristão Garcia points out Flamengo with a 93% chance of lifting the trophy, followed by Palmeiras (6%) and Cruzeiro (1%).
For Abel Ferreira, there is no longer any doubt, “the championship is over.” In his own way, insinuating favoritism towards the current leader, the Palmeiras coach warned: “At the right time, we will talk about what this Brazilian Championship was about.” And he indicated that he will select reserves against Grêmio, thinking about “channeling the energy for next Saturday”.
His team really seems to be lacking energy, as they haven’t scored a goal in more than five hours of the ball rolling. After defeats to Mirassol and Santos and 0-0 draws at home with Vitória and Fluminense, the team practically threw in the towel in the Brazilian Championship. “We’re working thinking about Saturday’s game. It’s the most important game of the year.”
Flamengo has also experienced moments of fluctuation in recent weeks – there was a tough sequence of games and athletes called up for different national teams, the same situation as Palmeiras –, but achieved a much higher score. While the opponent for the national title scored two points in the last four games, the red-black scored nine.
“The group, on a mental level, is very strong,” said coach Filipe Luís, who, in the opposite direction of his rival, refuses to talk about the Libertadores final. “We are focused on the present, which is winning the next game. I want to beat Atlético Mineiro and I’m going with the players who I believe are the best to win.”
This does not mean a lineup built only by regular names. “For example, there are players who have difficulty playing three games a week. You know very well what they are,” said the coach, referring to athletes who have difficulty recovering physically, such as the Uruguayan star Giorgian de Arrascaeta.
This is how the matches scheduled for Tuesday night in the Brazilian Championship will take place, which could seal the champion. There will, of course, be a red and black celebration if the title is confirmed, but no one will stop thinking about the clash scheduled for the weekend, at the Monumental stadium in Lima, Peru.
