What was predicted at the beginning of the Libertadores happened. Flamengo and Palmeiras will play the final in a single game. The two teams must also compete for the Brasileirão title. If fans of both teams had to choose one of their achievements, which would it be? Brazilian clubs cannot be content with technical dominance in South America. The best players on the continent who do not play in Europe are in Brazil.
Palmeiras’ 4-0 victory over LDU, a result that was unlikely and necessary, was spectacular, monumental, exciting, unforgettable. It was truly spectacular, very different from the spectacular, exaggerated situations that frequently occur in football and in the world today.
Palmeiras, from the beginning, pushed by the fans, pressed, with great determination and intensity, without losing their calmness and lucidity. The club has another exceptional young man, Allan, who will probably soon be on one of the great European teams. The work in the club’s youth categories deserves applause.
Andreas, again, acted as a midfielder, centralized and with a wide vision of the team. He slid from one midfielder to the other with great, precise passes. He should be the first substitute for Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães in the selection or, depending on the moment, a third in midfield.
Flamengo also deserves applause. The 0-0 draw and qualification for the final were exciting, thanks to the individual quality, the correct positioning of the defenders and the lack of talent from Racing, who, despite having one more player for almost the entire second half, limited themselves to crossing the ball into the area.
The changes made by Filipe Luís after Plata’s expulsion were excellent, especially the addition of a third defender, Danilo, tall and very good at aerial plays. Goalkeeper Rossi had another great performance. The two defenders, Léo Ortiz and Léo Pereira, as well as full-back Alex Sandro, are on the first line of waiting for a place in the World Cup.
Flamengo’s defense, for a long time, has been the team’s strong point, although the biggest praise is always for the midfield players, especially those who make and/or pass goals. Defense is extremely important, and midfield is the soul and brain of a team.
Before the match against Racing, it was already discussed in some sports programs whether Filipe Luís would be released if Flamengo were eliminated, which made no sense. It is the society of the spectacle, harsh, radical, hurried, inconsequential, which looks for heroes and villains every week.
South American Cup
Atlético-MG, deservedly, is in the final of the Copa Sudamericana. They will face Lanús, from Argentina. Anyway, Dudu had a great performance, in the 3-1 victory over Independiente del Valle, remembering the player he was at Palmeiras, dribbling with speed from the left wing and center, in addition to making great passes.
At Cruzeiro, the player was poorly prepared physically, and coach Leonardo Jardim wanted him to return to score from the side, forming a quartet in midfield to protect the defenders. Dudu couldn’t do that. In addition to the tactical issue, he must have reacted to regain prestige.
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