Palmeiras must ‘copy’ Flamengo to avoid a Libertadores scare | OneFootball

While Fla decides its semifinal spot in a ‘comfortable’ situation, Palmeiras risks complicating qualification against LDU (ECU)

Flamengo secured a 2-0 win over Independiente del Valle (ECU) in the first leg of the quarterfinals in Quito. Now, the decider will take place at the Maracanã, in a very comfortable situation for the Rubro-Negro.

Palmeiras, meanwhile, had a tighter path in the first match against LDU (ECU). The São Paulo side won only 1-0 at Nubank Parque and now depends on a strong performance in Ecuador.

That slim advantage, therefore, leaves Alviverde in a more delicate situation than the Rio club. While Fla only needs to maintain the level it showed in the first leg, its São Paulo rival faces greater risks in the return match.

Neither team, however, can relax before the ball starts rolling in this decisive week. This difference in context, in fact, helps explain why Flamengo fans are going through a calmer moment.

Why Palmeiras needs to follow Flamengo’s example

With only a 1-goal lead, the São Paulo side cannot afford to stumble in Ecuador. To avoid scares, Verdão needs to repeat the Rubro-Negro formula: win away from home as well.

If that does not happen, only a draw guarantees direct qualification, without any drama in the standings. Any defeat, however, complicates life for the São Paulo team and could send the decision to penalties.

So, the green-and-white club takes the field knowing that only a win brings complete peace of mind. Flamengo, by winning by a 2-goal margin, eliminated exactly that kind of risk before the second leg.

In this way, the Rubro-Negro example serves as a direct reference for what Palmeiras needs to aim for.

It is worth remembering that the Libertadores does not use the away-goals rule. In the event of a tie on aggregate, the spot is decided directly on penalties.

The rivalry between Flamengo and Palmeiras in recent years

Off the field, the clash between the two clubs has also gained a special chapter in recent years. In 2025, the two teams battled side by side for the Brasileirão and the Libertadores itself.

That season, Rubro-Negro came out on top in both competitions and lifted both trophies. That result, therefore, raised the rivalry between the fan bases even further.

As a result, each new head-to-head meeting began to carry extra weight for both sides. This time, however, their paths cross indirectly, since both are facing Ecuadorian opponents in the same stage.

Even so, the contrast between the two situations once again highlights the gap between the projects. In the end, Flamengo and Palmeiras remain the biggest protagonists in Brazilian football at this stage of the Libertadores.

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