Palmeiras's poor form a good omen for Libertadores final v Flamengo

Lima, 28 Nov- The omens are good for Palmeiras, even if their form is terrible, as the Sao Paulo giants prepare to face domestic rivals Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final in Lima on Saturday.

In what will be the fifth all-Brazilian Libertadores final in the last six years -- underlying the country's dominance of South American club football -- Palmeiras's ropey recent league record may work in their favour.

The 'Big Green' come into the final on the back of a five-match winless run in the Brazilian league, during which time they lost the Serie A leadership... to Flamengo.

But that could be a portent of brewing success.

During Brazil's recent Libertadores domination -- the last team from outside the country to win the competition were Argentinians River Plate in 2018 -- Palmeiras have twice triumphed in all-Brazilian finals.

In both 2020 and 2021, Palmeiras came into the final in similarly dreadful domestic form: two defeats and a draw in their previous three matches in 2020, and three defeats and a draw in their last four games in 2021, when they beat Flamengo in the final.

The players are not worried about their form.

"It's the most important match of the year for us, of course, and the preparation is different, the concentration is different, the focus is different," said former Barcelona forward Vitor Roque earlier this week.

"We're working very hard, already thinking about Saturday's match, with great humility and our feet on the ground," added the 20-year-old Brazil international.

- Jubilant fans tear up bus -

Flamengo, who beat Athletico Paranaense in an all-Brazilian final the year after losing to Palmeiras, are seeking a third Libertadores triumph in six years.

Like Palmeiras, they are hunting a fourth overall.

The most popular club in Brazil, their fans gave them a stunning send-off before heading to Lima on Wednesday, even invading the team bus.

Players shared video footage to social media of fans ripping off the roof hatches and climbing inside the bus as they headed to Rio's international airport amongst throngs of jubilant supporters.

Things turned sour, though, as clashes broke out between fans and police, who fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds.

"You're caught up in the heat of the moment, the emotions of fans, (but) that's not the best way to motivate us... invading the bus through the roof," centre-back Leo Pereira told Flamengo TV after the incidents.

"Someone could get hurt, your own fan could even fall from the top of the bus," he complained.

The team also received a rapturous ovation on their arrival in Peru, where hundreds of Carioca fans had already arrived by midweek.

Pulling the strings in midfield for Flamengo on Saturday will be Jorginho, the Brazilian-born Italy international who has tasted continental success before.

In 2021, during the Covid pandemic, Jorginho experienced a heady couple of months when winning the Champions League with Chelsea followed by the delayed 2020 Euros with Italy.

Facing him will be former Manchester United midfielder, Andreas Pereira, who was in the Flamengo starting XI in 2021 when they lost the Libertadores final to Palmeiras.BSS