By Samindra Kunti in Montevideo, Uruguay
November 28 – With a dramatic extra-time goal from substitute Deyverson, Palmeiras defeated Flamengo 2-1 to retain their Copa Libertadores title and win the competition for a third time in the club’s history.
Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira had a plan. Flamengo coach Renato Gaucho, contrary to his own claims, did not. The Portuguese out thought and out manoeuvred his Brazilian counterpart. “In football, it’s much easier to destroy than to construct,” said Renato Gaucho at a news conference after the final. “When you play a team like Palmeiras that sits back, it gets harder.”
But what had Renato Gaucho expected? Under Ferreira, Palmeiras’s DNA has been stubbornly defensive. Once again, he fielded a back-five defence, with Gustavo Scarpa, an attacking midfielder, dropping back to defend. In the semi-finals, a five-man rearguard had held off Atletico Mineiro, the Brazilian champions-in-waiting, and the success formula worked wonders again against Flamengo. 
In the fifth minute, the Sao Paulo club seized control when Mayke exploited the space in behind Filipe Luis to tee up Raphael Veiga, 1-0. It was a horror goal for Flamengo to concede, with both Luis and David Luiz exposed. Rattled, the Rio giant struggled to respond. As ever, Palmeiras emphasised the collective, defending deep and denying their opponent space. Flamengo’s star-studded team unravelled.
Too many of Flamengo’s players were second best to a sharper and fitter Palmeiras. In the first half, Flamengo’s often devastating front four, a legacy from the Jorge Jesus era, barely tested Palmeiras goalkeeper Weverton, but Gabigol still managed to draw the scores level in the 72nd minute following a double pass with Giorgian De Arrascaeta. The Palmeiras goalkeeper was badly at fault for the equaliser, not protecting his near post.
Yet, Flamengo were never the barnstorming side that they can be. At no point did the Rio club truly accelerate. Flamengo were without a proper plan. Ferreira revelled in his opponent’s impotence, considering the game an elaborate game of chess, one he would ultimately win.
In extra time, Andreas Perreira, on loan from Manchester United, switched off, highlighting Flamengo’s defensive frailties, and substitute Deyverson capitalised to crown Palmeiras South American champions for the second consecutive time and the third time in the club’s history. Palmeiras also won the Copa Libertadores in 1999, defeating Deportivo Cali on penalties. In last season’s final against Santos, Palmeiras also required extra time to prevail.
But despite Palmeiras’ win, Ferreira remained down to earth. Repeating previous concerns and indicating that he needs to reflect on his future at Palmeiras, he said: “The Brazilian calendar is insane and inhuman.” His team played its 105th game in 387 days against Flamengo.
Gabigol said: “Flamengo got to the final on merit, against a great team. The final turned on a detail. Our motivation is always to be the champions. It hurts a lot. We will rise again and come back.”
Whether Renato Gaucho will be back as Flamengo coach is very doubtful. Following the defeat, the Flamengo coach reportedly burst into tears in the dressing room and in the team hotel. The Rio club ends the season without silverware after reinforcing the squad with David Luiz, Kennedy and Andreas Perreira. “Unfortunately, only those who win are good in Brazil,” lamented Renato Gaucho at a news conference.
Palmeiras will receive $15 million in prize money from the final and a total of $22,5 million from the entire competition. The club will represent South America at the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. In the last edition, the Brazilians crashed out against Mexico’s Tigres in the semi-finals.
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