Marlon Freitas looks ahead to Palmeiras v Fluminense semi-final | OneFootball

Palmeiras have advanced to the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores and will face Fluminense in the next stage of the competition. The first match will be played at the Maracanã, while the return leg will take place at Nubank Parque. Coached by Abel Ferreira, the team faced LDU this Wednesday, the 16th, and lost 3-2 in Quito. In the penalty shootout, Palmeiras won 4-3.

The goals in regular time were scored by Marlon Freitas and Vitor Roque for the Brazilian side. Segovia and Estrada (2) scored for LDU. Palmeiras had won the first leg at Nubank Parque 1-0 last week. In the shootout, Lucas Rodríguez and Segovia missed LDU’s penalties, both saved by Carlos Miguel.

Lucas Evangelista missed Palmeiras’ penalty. After the match, Marlon Freitas reflected on the game and the qualification secured by the green-and-white side. The player admitted the team could have suffered less on the field.

Marlon Freitas assessed the qualification

“First of all, I want to give thanks for the qualification. I don’t think it needed to happen this way, but in the end, qualifying is what matters. We deserved it for the game we played. The team was very compact, we tried to play when we could, and we couldn’t leave here without qualifying. Thanks to everyone who is part of Palmeiras, including those back in Brazil, and now it’s the semifinal. It was very important for us to qualify today, I think it gives the group extra confidence. We’re still alive in three competitions, so we need to celebrate and let some of it out,” said the scorer of Palmeiras’ first goal.

The player also looked ahead to the Copa Libertadores semifinal against Fluminense. The first match will be at the Maracanã, while the second leg will be at Nubank Parque.

“It’ll be a difficult game. Fluminense are a quality team, they have great players, it’s going to be a great semifinal, and may the best team win. But for now, let us celebrate a little, because after all this madness here, I think we deserve to celebrate a bit,” Marlon Freitas concluded.

It is worth remembering that in 2023, Fluminense and Palmeiras almost met in the final of the competition. However, Palmeiras were eliminated by Boca Juniors on penalties. Fluminense went on to win that Copa Libertadores by beating the Argentine side 2-1 at the Maracanã.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.