Rivalry revisited: Miami boss faces old foes with a smile | OneFootball

Javier Mascherano, now leading Inter Miami, took a reflective approach as he discussed Palmeiras ahead of their upcoming Club World Cup clash in Miami. The former Corinthians midfielder acknowledged the weight of the rivalry he once experienced, but was careful to keep things light, opting for friendly banter rather than provocation.

Asked about facing Palmeiras, Mascherano remarked, “Palmeiras is a big club in Brazil. I had to play against them for an even bigger club (laughs).” He reminisced about the tense energy that defined Corinthians and Palmeiras encounters, describing the matches as high-stakes events with “two impressive fanbases.” Mascherano’s own personal highlight came in his debut for Corinthians, a 3-1 win over Palmeiras in the 2005 Brasileirão—an intense outing in which he, unsurprisingly for a midfielder of his style, picked up a yellow card. He also mentioned the matches that followed, including a 1-1 draw in the Campeonato Paulista and a 1-0 defeat in the following year’s Brasileirão.

Turning to his current assignment with Inter Miami, Mascherano had nothing but praise for Palmeiras and manager Abel Ferreira, noting the experience and stability that have made the current Palmeiras squad stand out. “It will be a very difficult match, obviously. We’re up against a great team—one that’s won the Libertadores, the Brasileirão, is always fighting for important things, and has a coach who’s been there for years as well as players with pedigree and international experience.”

He singled out several Palmeiras attackers—Vítor Roque, Estêvão, Felipe Anderson, and Raphael Veiga—for their ability to create problems in different phases of play, adding that Palmeiras possess “important hierarchy” throughout their squad. Mascherano also highlighted the club’s knack for adapting to different match situations, calling them physically strong and tactically versatile.

Despite the respect, Mascherano made it clear that Inter Miami will focus on their own identity heading into the match. He observed, “What this tournament shows is it’s 11 versus 11, a ball, and you have to play. We’re facing a great team, but we have our own weapons. We can’t stray from who we are.”

Both teams currently sit atop Group A with four points apiece, and a draw would see each progress to the knockout stage. Still, Mascherano’s careful balance of playful memory and professional admiration reflected a deep understanding of rivalry—one forged on the pitch, but respected across the touchline.

Source: Globo

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