Palmeiras bank on Junior Barranquilla record for last-16 spot, past duels | OneFootball

Palmeiras host Junior Barranquilla-COL this Thursday (28) at 8 p.m. Brasília time at Allianz Parque, needing only a draw to secure a place in the Copa Libertadores round of 16. In search of qualification, Verdão are counting on a highly favorable home record against the Colombians.

The teams have faced each other five times in the continental competition, with four Palmeiras wins and one draw — the most recent meeting, in fact, came in the opener of this edition, when they drew 1-1 in Cartagena, Colombia.

In matches played at Allianz Parque, Palmeiras won both games: 3-1 in 2018 and 3-0 in 2019. Both matches were marked by off-field incidents involving the green-and-white supporters.

Protests and tension marked the 2019 clash

The 3-0 win in 2019 came amid a tense atmosphere at Allianz Parque. Palmeiras were coming off elimination by São Paulo in the Campeonato Paulista semifinal and had gone three matches without scoring.

Before the match, the team bus was targeted with stones and bottles upon arriving at the stadium. During the warm-up, the atmosphere was split between organized fan groups, who called the squad “chokers,” and other supporters, who booed the protests.

Even under pressure, the Luiz Felipe Scolari-led side won with goals from Deyverson, Dudu and Hyoran.

Palmeiras 3 x 0 Junior Barranquilla – 2019Goals: Deyverson, Dudu and Hyoran

Palmeiras:Weverton; Mayke, Luan, Gustavo Gómez and Diogo Barbosa; Felipe Melo, Bruno Henrique and Zé Rafael (Felipe Pires); Dudu, Gustavo Scarpa (Hyoran) and Deyverson (Ricardo Goulart).Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Request to “throw” the match marked the 2018 meeting

The first meeting between the teams at Allianz, in 2018, also had a troubled atmosphere. Part of the crowd wanted Palmeiras to “throw” the match to prevent Boca Juniors from qualifying, as Boca were competing with Junior for a spot while Verdão had already advanced — the Argentines would go on to eliminate the São Paulo club in that edition’s semifinal.

After being booed off at halftime, Palmeiras took off in the second half and won 3-1, securing the best overall group-stage campaign. Borja scored all three Palmeiras goals, while Teo Gutiérrez pulled one back for the Colombians.

Palmeiras 3 x 1 Junior Barranquilla – 2018Goals: Borja (3) and Teo Gutiérrez

Palmeiras:Fernando Prass; Mayke, Luan, Emerson Santos and Victor Luís; Thiago Santos and Tchê Tchê (Bruno Henrique); Willian, Guerra (Deyverson) and Dudu; Borja (Hyoran).Coach: Roger Machado.

Unbeaten against Colombian teams

In addition to the positive record against Junior, Palmeiras also carry a long unbeaten run against Colombian teams.

Overall, considering Libertadores matches and friendlies, Verdão have not lost to Colombian clubs in nine games — six wins and three draws. The last defeat came in 2012, against Millonarios, in the Copa Sudamericana.

In the Libertadores, the streak is even longer: ten matches unbeaten, with eight wins and two draws since the loss to Deportivo Cali in the first leg of the 1999 Libertadores final.

At home, Palmeiras have never been beaten by a Colombian team: six wins and one draw.

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