One year on, Flaco e Roque could reunite as Palmeiras’ starting pair | OneFootball

One year on, Flaco e Roque could be back together as starters for Palmeiras, with a Libertadores last 16 meeting against Cerro Porteño-PAR on Wednesday.

According to Nosso Palestra, the pair began a run as starters on 14 August 2025 against Universitario in the Libertadores last 16, emerging as standouts under Abel Ferreira.

Their 2025 partnership was effective, they shared the load in attack and shouldered responsibility at a decisive point of the season. Momentum suggested it could roll into 2026.

Instead, injuries and Flaco López’s World Cup call-up disrupted plans. Vitor Roque suffered an ankle injury in 2026, had surgery and missed a significant spell. Flaco left to represent Argentina at the tournament, returning later as Abel rotated his forwards.

Their next start together came in the Copa do Brasil last 16 second leg against Fortaleza. Roque started but could not impose himself, while Flaco was more influential and scored one of Palmeiras’ goals.

On Sunday 9, against Internacional in the Campeonato Brasileiro, both began on the bench and were sent on after the break. The impact was limited, particularly for Vitor Roque as he works back towards full rhythm and confidence following his long lay-off.

Palmeiras now face Cerro Porteño-PAR on Wednesday 12 at Nubank Parque, kick-off 19h Brasília, in the Libertadores last 16. The expectation is that the two could gain minutes again and, above all, recapture the prominence they showed in 2025.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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