Palmeiras and Athletico Paranaense define the title of the Recopa Sudamericana

Behind the draw in extremis in the first leg, Palmeiras and Athletico Paranaense meet again this Wednesday in Sao Paulo to define the winner of the South American Recopaan elusive tournament for both teams.

For history and payroll, the Verdão of the Portuguese Abel Ferreira part favorite in the last ninety minutes of the final, which will be played from 7:30 p.m. at the Allianz Parque stadium.

The duel, whose first leg game ended 2-2will be the pinnacle of Brazilian dominance in the region, where last season Brazil set a record by putting in the final four of the two international club tournaments in South America.

Victory seems a necessity for the Paulistaschampions of the two most recent editions of the Copa Libertadores and who got used to playing finals, although not necessarily winning them.

Since Ferreira arrived in Brazil in November 2020, Palmeiras has played seven finals -eight including the Recopa 2022-, winning three and losing four, including the Club World Cup against Chelsea (2-1) just two and a half weeks ago.

The Argentine Defense and Justice snatched the Recopa last year, the first they disputed.

“There are many finals in a row. If you had asked me if I expected to play eight finals in a year, I would say no. I never thought about that, but I work for that, I know how much it costs to get to the finals, how much it costs to win them and how much it costs to lose them”, affirmed the Portuguese.

To pocket his fourth title, Ferreira has the return of a guarantee in the defense, the Paraguayan Gustavo Gómez, absent in the first leg due to covid.

Already recovered, the captain will lead a team that this season has only lost one game, against Chelsea, out of ten played (six wins, three draws).

“It is a title that Palmeiras does not havewe want to win it to continue writing our history at the club”, said Gómez, who would form a duo with Murilo in the face of the possible loss of the beaten Luan.

South American Champion-2021, Alberto Valentim’s Furacão missed out on home win on account of a penalty caused by Marcinho and that Raphael Veiga converted into a goal in stoppage time.

In addition to the tie, the lack had another high cost. According to local media, due to the infraction and pressure from the fans, the president of Paranaense, Mario Celso Petraglia, would have ordered Marcinho to be separated from the squad.

“When one errs, all err. I could have been closer to the ball, someone else could have covered, so, without a doubt, it was a collective error”, defender Pedro Henrique defended.

Without Marcinho, Khellven is emerging as the one in charge of covering an area that Palmeiras will surely seek to exploit with the speed of Dudu or Rony.

Paranaense usually fields a “challenge team” in the Paraná state championship, so it has less filming than its rival so far this season.

However, desire to lift his first Recopa -they lost that of 2019 with the Argentine River Plate- acts as a remedy for an eleven that will have the discharge of striker Pablo and that, without great stars, has made the union its greatest weapon. (D)

Possible lineups:

Palm trees:

Weverton; Marcos Rocha, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Joaquín Piquerez; Danilo, Ze Rafael, Jailson; Dudu, Raphael Veiga, Rony. DT: Abel Ferreira.

Athletico Paranaense:

Saints; Khellven, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno, Abner; Hugo Moura, Erick, Matheus Fernandes, Leo Cittadini; David Teráns, Pablo. DT: Alberto Valentim.

Referees: The Venezuelan Jesús Valenzuela along with his compatriots Jorge Urrego and Tulio Moreno on the wings.

Transmit: DirecTV Sports (613 and 1613).