November 29 – In an all-Brazilian affair, Botafogo will be favourites against Atletico Mineiro in the final of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition.
On Saturday, the pair of clubs find themselves back in a marquee final, 53 years after they competed for the first Brazilian league title. In 1971, Atletico Mineiro and their famous striker Dada Maravilha prevailed to clinch the nation’s first league crown, but this weekend, in Buenos Aires, on the continental stage, the Rio club will be the favourites.
Botafogo have long harboured a reputation as chokers, something that seemed confirmed in 2023 when they gave away the league title in the season’s final stretch of matches, but this campaign, Botafogo have proven more relentless and more efficient both on the domestic and continental scenes.
In midweek, the Brazilian league leaders gained a great boost with a crucial 3-1 win against Palmeiras that could prove decisive in the league. The club last won the national title in 1995. By contrast, Atletico Mineiro fielded a reserve team on Tuesday against Juventude but lost 3-2 and are on a run of ten games in all competitions without a single victory.
That series of disappointing results did include a goalless draw with Botafogo, perhaps an indication of what is to come in the final. Libertadores finals between clubs from the same country have often proven to be tense and tight encounters, shorn of much quality. The Belo Horizonte club will be looking to Deyverson, Hulk and Gustavo Scarpa to counter Botafogo’s threat.
In a further sign of Brazil’s dominance of the competition, this will be the fourth all-Brazilian final in five seasons. Last year, Fluminense defeated Boca Juniors 2-1 in the final at the Maracana. In 2018, River Plate were the last non-Brazilian club to win the Copa Libertadores.
The winner on Saturday will clinch a ticket to FIFA’s Intercontinental Cup, which will culminate on December 18, Qatar’s national day, with the final at Lusail Stadium and Real Madrid the team to beat.
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