The 2022 Copa Libertadores final goes down in Ecuador on Saturday, with Brazilian sides Flamengo and Club Athletico Paranaense going head-to-head for the silverware.
Flamengo finished as runners-up last season and have featured in two of the previous three finals. After beating River Plate 2-1 in 2019, they lost 2-1 against Palmeiras last year.
As for Athletico, their first and only Libertadores final appearances came in 2005. Having lost to Sao Paulo that season, the club will be eager to make amends this time around.
Flamengo enjoyed an unbeaten group-stage campaign, claiming five wins and one draw to finish five points clear at the top of Group H.
After securing an 8-1 aggregate victory over Deportes Tolima in the round of 16, Flamengo dispatched Corinthians (3-0) in the quarter-finals before seeing off Velez Sarsfield (6-1) in the semi-finals.
Flamengo extended their unbeaten streak to eight games in all competitions with a 3-2 win against Santos in midweek, collecting their sixth victory in eight outings.
As a result, they remain firmly inside the top four in the Brazilian Serie A table with a ten-point lead over Athletico.
On the flip side, Athletico endured a more difficult Libertadores group stage – recording three wins, one draw and two losses to finish four points clear of third place in Group B.
Athletico edged out Libertad (3-2) in the last 16 before edging past Estudiantes (1-0) in the quarter-finals.
In the semi-finals, Athletico knocked out the defending champions – clinching a 3-2 aggregate victory over Palmeiras to punch their ticket to the final.
That said, Athletico’s recent form is a cause for concern. They have only managed to win two of their past ten matches in all competitions and suffered a 3-1 defeat to Palmeiras last time out.
Head-to-head: Flamengo have already claimed two wins against Athletico in 2022, thrashing them 5-0 in Serie A before beating them 1-0 in the cup.
Athletico have only managed to win two of their previous eight meetings with Flamengo across all competitions, conceding over 1.5 goals on four occasions.
Team news: Flamengo look set to be without Bruno Henrique and Rodrigo Caio for the remainder of the season, as the pair continue to recover from long-term injuries.
Meanwhile, Athletico will be without Marcelo Cirino for Saturday’s showpiece, as the right winger nurses a ruptured knee ligament.
Ultimately, in-form Flamengo are expected to get the better of off-form Athletico. Having reach two of the past three finals, Flamengo know what it takes to go all the way.
Forbet predicts that Flamengo and Athletico will combine for over 3.5 goals, with Flamengo lifting the trophy.
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