One year on, Flaco and Roque could start together again for Palmeiras | OneFootball

About a year ago, Palmeiras began to solidify an attacking duo that had created huge expectations among the fans. On August 14, 2025, against Universitario in the CONMEBOL Libertadores round of 16, Flaco López and Vitor Roque started a run as starters that made both forwards stand out in Abel Ferreira’s team.

The duo’s performance in 2025 was positive. Flaco and Roque were able to share responsibilities, take part in attacking build-up play, and assume leading roles at a decisive point in the season. The partnership, which was beginning to develop chemistry, seemed to have everything going for it to continue in 2026.

A difficult 2026 for the duo

But the new year brought obstacles. Injuries and Flaco López’s call-up for the World Cup kept the two from putting together another run together. Vitor Roque also had to deal with an ankle injury in 2026 and underwent surgery, keeping him off the pitch for an important stretch of the season.

Flaco, meanwhile, temporarily left Palmeiras to represent Argentina at the World Cup. The striker only returned to the Verdão squad later, forcing Abel Ferreira to manage different options in the attacking sector.

Reunion still without continuity

The two were reunited as starters in the second leg of the Copa do Brasil round of 16 against Fortaleza.

Roque started the match but was unable to deliver a standout performance. Flaco, however, was more effective and scored one of Palmeiras’ goals. The match was important because it gave the duo a chance to start together again, but it still did not mark the beginning of a new run.

Last Sunday (9), against Internacional in the Brazilian Championship, both started once again on the bench. Abel Ferreira brought the duo on in the second half, putting Flaco and Roque on the field together.

The performance, however, was not among the best. Both struggled to make an effective impact on the match, especially Vitor Roque, who is still trying to fully regain rhythm and confidence after a long recovery period.

Cerro Porteño could mark a new chapter

It is in this context that Palmeiras heads into this Wednesday’s (12) clash against Cerro Porteño-PAR in the Libertadores round of 16. The match will be played at 7 p.m. Brasília time at Nubank Parque.

The expectation now is that both can once again earn more space and, above all, regain the leading role they had in 2025. Flaco and Roque already showed that last year.

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