Abel haunted by Flamengo loss, admits Leila Pereira’s anger | OneFootball

Libertadores Runner-Up Finish to Flamengo Still Haunts Palmeiras Coach

Even though it’s March 2026, Abel Ferreira still hasn’t forgotten the ‘traumas’ caused by the Flamengo in 2025. After a 1-0 win over São Paulo this Saturday (21), the Palmeiras coach recalled the runner-up finish in the Libertadores to Mengão and revealed that he got a ‘scolding’ from Leila Pereira.

— You’ve noticed several times… What happened in the final of the Libertadores, I told the president about what happened, it could have changed the game, a play that was scandalous (Pulgar’s tackle), and at no point did the president let me use that as an excuse — Abel Ferreira began.

— The only thing she told me was: ‘Work your players harder, we have to play more and play better.’ That’s what we did at Palmeiras. Last year we finished runners-up three times, and I don’t think I’m the best example when we lose — he added, before concluding:

— But I think our leaders, our main leader, who is our president, in this regard, gives a ‘lesson’ to all the directors worldwide, not just in Brazil — concluded the Palmeiras coach.

Which Play in the Libertadores Final Causes Abel Ferreira’s ‘Complaints’?

The play that Abel Ferreira complains about happened during the first minutes of the opening half. On that occasion, Erick Pulgar made a hard tackle on Bruno Fuchs, Palmeiras’ defender, but the referee let play continue and only gave a yellow card to the Chilean from Flamengo.

Thus, with the game underway, Flamengo was superior to Palmeiras. However, the Rubro-Negro only found the net at the 23rd minute of the second half, after Arrascaeta delivered a cross to the head of Danilo, who headed it into the back of the São Paulo team’s net.

What Happened Between Flamengo and Palmeiras in 2025?

Abel Ferreira must still have ‘nightmares’ about Flamengo to this day. That’s because, throughout 2025, Palmeiras battled with Rubro-Negro for the Libertadores and Brasileirão titles. However, at the end of the season, Mengão took home both trophies, leaving their rival as runners-up.

What Is Flamengo’s Next Match?

While Abel Ferreira keeps ‘complaining’, Flamengo takes the field this Sunday (22) to face Corinthians. The interstate classic will take place at 8:30 pm (Brasília time), at Neo Química Arena, for the eighth round of the Brasileirão.

As tradition dictates, Coluna do Fla will bring all the details of the match between Flamengo and Corinthians, through YouTube, their website, and social media. However, Record (free-to-air), Premiere (pay-per-view), and Cazé TV (YouTube) will broadcast the Brasileirão classic.

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