Ex-Sporting man eyes glory with Palmeiras against Flamengo: We can do it! | OneFootball

The final of the Copa Libertadores will be played this Saturday at 21:00, between Palmeiras and Flamengo. The leader of Verdão, Abel Ferreira, who once played for Sporting, aims to win the continental competition for the third time in his career, which would place him among the greatest names in the South American tournament.

“We want, we deserve, and we can!” was the motto given by Abel Ferreira during the pre-match press conference. This is the third Libertadores final for Palmeiras in the last five years, all with the former Sporting player at the helm of the team.

"Tomorrow [today], from the first to the last second, we will give our best to win another title, not only for the fans but, if I may, for ourselves for everything that happened this year," said Abel Ferreira, also recalling the difficulties the team faced at the end of the Brasileirão.

Abel Ferreira continued, highlighting the Libertadores as distinct from other competitions: "They are completely different competitions! Honestly, don't take it the wrong way, but one thing is the Brasileirão, and a completely different thing is the Libertadores. We are talking about very different things. Despite knowing the opponent, it is always a unique game."

Palmeiras and Flamengo met in the Libertadores final in 2021, in a match won by Abel Ferreira's Verdão. However, Mengão seems to enter as the favorite in the final, having won both encounters between the teams this year. The Portuguese coach, who is seeking his 11th title with the club, downplayed those matches in his quest to ascend, for the third time, to the highest level of South American football.

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