Copa Libertadores Final 2022

Flamengo vs. Athletico Paranaense

Brazil and Argentina are among the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, but the eyes of South American football fans are fixated on another tournament for now. The 2022 Copa Libertadores – the CONMEBOL equivalent of the UEFA Champions League – will reach a conclusion on October 29, as Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense contest an eagerly anticipated all-Brazilian final.

Founded in 1895, Flamengo are one of the grand old teams of the South American game. The Rubro-Negro, nicknamed as such due to their iconic red and black jerseys, have won the Libertadores twice before. Their opponents, Athletico Paranaense, are seeking their first ever triumph in this competition.

So, what can we expect when these sides go head-to-head at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo in Guayaquil, Ecuador? We have detailed some of the main talking points ahead of the showpiece match of the 63rd edition of the Copa Libertadores.

Will Flamengo romp to the title?

This is the third season on the bounce in which both Libertadores finalists are from Brazil. Flamengo finished as runners-up last year, going down 2-1 to Palmeiras after extra time. That was a painful defeat for the club, but they are highly fancied to bounce back with a victory this time around.

That is in large part because Flamengo have made light work of continental competition this term. The Rio de Janiero-based outfit have romped their way through the tournament, amassing 16 points from a possible 18 in the group phase, and then confidently dispatching Deportivo Tolima (7-1), Corinthians (3-0) and Velez Sarsfield (6-1) in the knockouts. Even a change of manager in June – Dorival Junior replaced Paulo Sousa in the dugout – could not halt their momentum.

Flamengo have averaged 2.66 goals per game in the Libertadores and won more than 91 percent of their matches. The sportsbooks understandably have them down as strong favourites.

Can Athletico Paranaense pull off another surprise?

No one should write off Athletico Paranaense, though. In the final of the 2022 Copa Sudamericana, South America’s version of the Europa League, Independiente del Valle upset the odds in beating Sao Paulo, and surprise results have become more likely since the Libertadores switched from a two-legged final to a single match at a neutral venue.

Athletico will also draw confidence from their 5-2 aggregate victory over Flamengo in the semi-finals of last year’s Copa do Brazil, although they did lose the most recent league meeting between the teams 5-0. Nevertheless, Athletico have proved themselves to be dogged opponents throughout the knockout phase of the Libertadores, edging out Libertad (3-2), Estudiantes (1-0) and Palmeiras (3-2) on their way to Guayaquil.

As mentioned above, Athletico have never won the Libertadores before – but they were Sudamericana champions in 2018 and 2021, demonstrating that they have what it takes to triumph on the continental stage.

Players to watch in the Copa Libertadores final

Flamengo striker Pedro has been nothing short of magnificent throughout this season’s tournament. The 25-year-old returned to Brazil two years ago after failing to convince Fiorentina of his worth, but he may soon be back on the radar of European clubs after scoring 12 goals in the Libertadores – five more than Lucas Janson, Rony and Rafael Navarro, who sit joint-second in the goals chart.

Pedro will be ably supported by another player in his mid-20s who failed to make the mark in Italy but is thriving again on the other side of the Atlantic. Gabriel Barbosa struggled to live up to expectations at Inter, but he is undoubtedly one of the best forwards in the South American game, providing speed, skill, goals and assists alongside Pedro.

Athletico do not have as many individual stars as Flamengo, but that is not to say their squad is without talent. Fernandinho, the former Manchester City man, has brought steel and leadership to the midfield. At the other end of his career is the 17-year-old Vitor Roque, a thrilling attacker who looks to have a bright future ahead of him.

Tactics and managerial backgrounds

Athletico are managed by the veteran Luiz Felipe Scolari, who may decide to call time on a managerial career that began in 1982 if his side lifts the trophy on October 29. Best known for his spells in charge of the Brazil national team at the World Cups of 2002 and 2014, Scolari has previously won the Libertadores with Gremio and Palmeiras.

Appointed to his current position in May, the 73-year-old has done a fine job of guiding Athletico to the final, where he will hope a counter-attacking game plan pays dividends once more. His team’s character cannot be questioned: Athletico have scored plenty of late goals this season, evidencing their ability to dig deep at vital moments.

One concern is that the Furacao have been reliant on their home form up to now. Their defend-and-break strategy has not been as effective at other grounds, with Athletico winning just one of their six away games in the competition.

Flamengo will take a more proactive, front-footed approach at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo. With Pedro and Gabriel Barbosa deployed ahead of Giorgian De Arrascaeta in an attack-minded 4-3-1-2 formation, Dorival Junior’s side are not short of firepower. They will outnumber their opponents, who prefer to set up in a 4-2-3-1, in the centre of the pitch, making it inevitable that Flamengo will dominate possession.

Dorival Junior, who has never got his hands on the Libertadores trophy before, had a short spell in charge of Athletico in 2020.

Predictions for the Copa Libertadores final

We are backing Flamengo to come out on top in the Copa Libertadores final. Their front two, Gabriel Barbosa and Pedro have the potential to overwhelm the defence of Athletico, which has looked shakier away from home than when playing in front of its own fans. There may have been a shock result in the Sudamericana showpiece at the start of the month, but we do not anticipate another one here.