Palmeiras group rivals Sporting Cristal sack Paulo Autuori before Libertadores start | OneFootball

Sporting Cristal, who also faced Palmeiras in 2025, have dismissed Brazilian coach Paulo Autuori days before the Libertadores group stage.

According to Nosso Palestra, Autuori had led the Peruvian side since April 2025 and the club will now look for a successor.

Palmeiras open their 2026 campaign away to Junior Barranquilla in Colombia on 8 April at 21:30 Brasília time.

They then host Sporting Cristal on 16 April, before visiting Cerro Porteño on 29 April.

The return fixtures bring a trip to Sporting Cristal on 5 May, a home game with Cerro Porteño on 20 May, then Junior Barranquilla at home on 28 May.

The final is scheduled for 28 November in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the club claimed their third Libertadores title.

Champions in 1999, 2020 and 2021, Palmeiras are chasing a fourth crown. The 2026 winners qualify for the Intercontinental Cup the same year and also book a place at the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.

Source: Nosso Palestra