“Many individuals didn’t imagine this may occur. It’s taking place,” stated Fluminense supervisor Renato Gaúcho as he mirrored on the performances of the Brazilian groups on the Membership World Cup. With Fluminense, Palmeiras, Botafogo and Flamengo all on their approach to the final 16, Renato stated that Brazilian soccer and other people ought to be “very proud” of what their golf equipment have carried out within the US.
The leads to the group stage had been spectacular. Botafogo beat European champions Paris Saint-Germain; Flamengo received convincingly towards Chelsea; and the one defeat for a Brazilian workforce – when Botafogo misplaced to Atlético Madrid – got here once they had an eye fixed on the knockout stage. In all, they performed 12 video games, misplaced one and solely conceded 9 targets.
The final 16 kicks off on Saturday, with Botafogo v Palmeiras in Philadelphia. The tie resumes a rivalry that has been on the forefront of Brazilian soccer lately. Whereas it’s not an historic battle or one primarily based on geographical proximity, the golf equipment have been at loggerheads as they’ve battled for the Brasileirão title. Think about it a Brazilian model of the Manchester Metropolis v Liverpool rivalry – however with a bit extra spice.
In 2023, Botafogo constructed up a 15-point lead within the title race however began to fritter it away. By the point they met Palmeiras in the direction of the top of the marketing campaign, their lead was down to 6 factors. Botafogo raced right into a 3-0 lead of their crunch match however Endrick impressed a 4-3 comeback. In the long run, Palmeiras denied Botafogo the title and snatched it for themselves.
Afterwards, Botafogo’s majority proprietor John Textor went on a rampage, accusing Palmeiras of corruption. Leila Pereira, the Palmeiras president, known as Textor’s accusations “irresponsible and legal” and dubbed him the “embarrassment of Brazilian soccer”. The feud between the 2 leaders is likely one of the greatest subplots earlier than their match on Saturday, with rival followers telling Botafogo supporters to get pleasure from themselves earlier than Textor sinks their membership à la Lyon.
Botafogo recovered from their heartbreak in 2024, changing into simply the fourth workforce in historical past to do a league and Libertadores double. To make their revenge even sweeter, they eradicated Palmeiras within the final 16. They’ve struggled within the league this season although, particularly after shedding their greatest gamers in Luiz Henrique and Thiago Almada (who’s on mortgage at considered one of Textor’s different golf equipment, Lyon), in addition to their supervisor. So their success on the Membership World Cup – together with that standout victory towards PSG – has come as a welcome shock.
We’ve been speaking to their defender Vitinho – who spent a couple of years at Burnley – and he’s feeling assured. “We have now a really sturdy workforce, we all know our potential and we by no means stopped believing,” he says. “So long as we have now an opportunity, we’ll combat to the fullest. We labored exhausting, we believed and we achieved our purpose, which was to qualify from the group stage. We knew we’d face a really powerful workforce within the spherical of 16. It will likely be like that till the top. We have now had nice duels towards Palmeiras lately, memorable moments for each groups, and this will probably be one other crucial sport for each golf equipment.”
On the opposite facet of the rivalry, Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton says he and his teammates have been making ready for the Membership World Cup for a very long time and are happy with their performances thus far. “It was a great begin, we’re heading in the right direction,” he stated. “This competitors, enjoying towards the perfect groups on the earth, is a good alternative for everybody to indicate their value. And the Brazilian groups are doing it very nicely. It’s as much as us to take care of this degree and enhance, as a result of the strain will solely enhance. We have now nice alternatives to advance within the competitors.”
He is aware of that Botafogo will probably be powerful opponents. “A Brazilian confrontation is at all times tough as a result of you realize the traits of the gamers, however at this level you possibly can’t select your opponents. It will likely be tough for Palmeiras, as it will likely be tough for Botafogo; they’re two nice groups. Brazilian soccer has received right here; we may have a Brazilian workforce within the quarter-finals. This values our soccer.”
Flamengo, the present league leaders in Brazil, have been dealt a troublesome draw within the final 16, the place they face Bayern Munich. Having received their group, it appeared as if Flamengo would play Benfica or Boca Juniors within the final 16 however Vincent Kompany’s choice to relaxation gamers towards Benfica backfired on Bayern – and Flamengo. The winner of their last-16 tie will meet Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami within the quarter-finals then probably Actual Madrid within the semis.
Specializing in the primary job in hand, membership icon Zico joked that “we have now a bonus, as a result of we’ve solely ever performed one sport towards Bayern and it was 3-1 to Flamengo”. He’s not referring to a previous Intercontinental Cup, although, however fairly a match on the Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Event in 1994. Flamengo had been awarded $20,000 for that victory. The stakes will probably be far greater in Miami on Sunday evening.
Flamengo supervisor Filipe Luís is stuffed with respect for Bayern, calling them “dominant”, a “colossus” with “a unprecedented squad” and “a superb coach” and one of many prime tier of European golf equipment which are above something South America can supply. “They’re a membership that evokes us and offers us concepts to repeat, however in a sport something can occur,” he added.
Filipe Luís is aware of Flamengo face an uphill battle however he desires his workforce to maintain their identification and, if they’re to exit, to take action on their very own protect. “Flamengo’s DNA requires you attempt to take the ball away from the opponent, attempt to press, management the sport and be as vertical as attainable,” he stated. “That’s what we’ll attempt to do. We all know their high quality and the best way they play. They are going to attempt to impose their rhythm, and we’ll attempt to do the identical. In the long run, might the perfect workforce win.”
Some Flamengo followers have taken umbrage with what they understand to be Bayern rolling over for Benfica and settling for second place. It’s a technique Fluminense appeared to undertake as nicely. They rested gamers and drew with Mamelodi Sundowns, maybe as a method of enjoying both River Plate or Monterrey within the final 16. With Dortmund and Inter successful, although, and Fluminense choosing up only a level, the 2023 Libertadores winners will now face Inter.
“Now, there isn’t a straightforward sport,” says their supervisor Renato, who has additionally echoed the concept knockout soccer is about greater than cash. “It’s no use having a workforce of 500m, soccer is on the sector,” he stated. Fluminense have their very own veterans, similar to Thiago Silva on the coronary heart of their defence, however maybe it’s the proper second to pounce on a crestfallen and ageing Inter facet after their hammering towards PSG.
That is an article by Tom Sanderson and Josué Seixas
