Palmeiras start Libertadores knockout at home again after five years | OneFootball

Palmeiras is once again experiencing a situation that has not been part of its recent routine in the CONMEBOL Libertadores. After years of starting knockout ties away from home, Verdão will once again play the first leg of a knockout round in the competition at home. The last time this happened was in the 2021 semifinal against Atlético-MG.

On that occasion, Palmeiras hosted Atlético-MG in the first leg at Nubank Parque and drew 0-0. In the second leg, at Mineirão, Verdão fought back for a 1-1 draw, with a goal from Dudu, and advanced to the final on the away-goals rule — a rule that was still in effect in that edition of the Libertadores.

The qualification against Atlético-MG, in fact, was the last time Palmeiras benefited from the away-goals rule in a Libertadores knockout tie. The rule was later abolished by CONMEBOL, meaning that draws on aggregate would then be decided by a penalty shootout, when applicable.

Since then, Palmeiras has been starting its Libertadores knockout ties away from home. Now, against Cerro Porteño, Verdão will look to put together a strong first-leg performance so it can go to Paraguay without too many difficulties and aim for a place in the quarterfinals.

Second time with Abel

Since taking charge of Palmeiras in 2020, this will be only the second time that the coach has started a Libertadores knockout tie at home.

The Portuguese manager built much of his continental run precisely in ties in which Palmeiras began away from home and looked to seal qualification in front of its own fans.

The clash against Cerro Porteño will also mark an important number for Abel: it will be the coach’s 50th home game in knockout matches with Palmeiras.

Across the previous 49 matches, Abel has:

The record reinforces Palmeiras’ strength under the Portuguese manager when playing at home in knockout matches.

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