Palmeiras to host first Libertadores knockout opener in five years as Abel hits home milestone | OneFootball

Palmeiras will start a CONMEBOL Libertadores knockout tie at home for the first time in five years, facing Cerro Porteño. According to Nosso Palestra, it ends a run of opening ties away from home.

The last occasion was the 2021 semi-final against Atlético-MG, when the first leg at Nubank Parque finished 0-0. The return at Mineirão ended 1-1, Dudu scored, and Palmeiras advanced on the away-goals rule then in effect.

That tie was also the last time Palmeiras benefited from the away-goals rule in a Libertadores knockout. CONMEBOL has since abolished it, so level aggregates are now decided by penalties when applicable.

Now, Palmeiras will look for a strong first leg to travel to Paraguay with fewer complications and aim for the quarter-finals.

Since Abel Ferreira took charge in 2020, this is only the second time he has opened a Libertadores knockout at home.

The match will be his 50th home knockout match in charge of Palmeiras. Across his previous 49, he has 35 wins, eight draws and six defeats, a 76.8% success rate.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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