Home advantage counts for even more in Palmeiras-LDU rematch | OneFootball

Palmeiras and LDU will face each other again in the Libertadores this Wednesday (9) at 7 p.m. at Nubank Parque, in the first leg of the quarterfinals. In addition to memories of the historic 2025 semifinal, the clash carries a trait that could once again prove decisive: the weight of home-field advantage.

In four meetings between the teams in the Libertadores, the record is perfectly balanced, with two wins for each side. The key detail is that every victory came when the team played at home. Palmeiras won both matches it hosted, while LDU also won both games played in Quito.

A matchup defined by home advantage

The first meeting came in 2009, in the group stage. LDU won 3-2 in Quito, while Palmeiras came out on top 2-0 in the match played in São Paulo.

The script repeated itself in 2025, but in an even more dramatic setting. In the Libertadores semifinal, LDU won 3-0 in Ecuador and left Palmeiras in an extremely difficult position.

In the return leg, however, Verdão responded with a historic performance. They won 4-0 in São Paulo and secured their place in the final.

Palmeiras struggled with the altitude in 2025

Last year’s defeat in Quito is still fresh in Palmeiras fans’ memory. On that occasion, Abel Ferreira’s side struggled to impose its game and ended up losing 3-0.

After that match, Piquerez pointed to the altitude as one of the main factors behind Palmeiras’ below-par performance. Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado sits approximately 2,850 meters above sea level.

Getting the result in São Paulo

The order of the home legs makes Wednesday’s match even more important for Verdão. Palmeiras begin the tie at home and will have the chance to build an advantage before facing the altitude in the decisive match.

The history between the clubs reinforces the need to make the most of home advantage. In the four previous Libertadores matches, the team playing in front of its own fans won. There has not been a single away victory in this matchup.

The challenge of repeating 2025, but in reverse

Last season, LDU managed to build a three-goal advantage in Quito and forced Palmeiras to produce a huge comeback at home. Now, the scenario could be reversed.

Verdão will first have the backing of its fans as it tries to build the result and then will need to survive the atmosphere in Quito to confirm qualification.

LDU itself arrives fully aware of the importance of deciding the tie at home. In the current Libertadores, the Ecuadorian side eliminated Mirassol on penalties after two draws and is once again counting on the altitude factor for the second leg.

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