Is August set to haunt Palmeiras again before a Libertadores decider? | OneFootball

Palmeiras reach the second half of August on alert, their league lead trimmed and a Libertadores last-16 trip looming.

Nosso Palestra notes that an eight point advantage over Flamengo has eroded and, with the rival’s game in hand, the gap could be levelled.

A four match winless run, including a 3-2 comeback defeat to Fluminense at the Maracanã, has sharpened the pressure before a decisive week. Palmeiras still lead and remain in control of their fate, though another dip could quickly reshape the summit.

The tie with Cerro Porteño is finely poised after a 1-1 first leg at Nubank Parque. The return is in Paraguay, where victory would send Palmeiras through to the quarter-finals, while another draw would take it to penalties.

Recent Augusts explain the anxiety. In 2024 they exited the Copa do Brasil to Flamengo in the last 16, then left the Libertadores against Botafogo at the same stage. In 2025 they were knocked out of the Copa do Brasil by Corinthians, losing 1-0 then 2-0 for 3-0 on aggregate, while maintaining strong league form.

It is too early to call a crisis and August might not repeat that script. The Cerro Porteño result now carries weight beyond continental progress, with a win potentially restoring confidence and a defeat likely to intensify scrutiny as the league tightens.

Source: Nosso Palestra

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”