River Plate's historic clash with Palmeiras excites Brazilian fans

River Plate continues to advance in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, but the Argentine club's record against Palmeiras worries fans and experts. In the last round, Marcelo Gallardo's team drew 1-1 with Libertadores, securing qualification on penalties after a goalless draw in the first leg.

Furthermore, the team suffered Galoppo's red card seven minutes into the second half, complicating the final stage. As a result, the Argentines secured their spot, but now they face a much tougher challenge in the quarterfinals.

It's worth noting that Palmeiras has historically had the advantage in knockout clashes against River Plate. The first decisive duel took place in 1999, in the Copa Libertadores semifinal. In the first leg, River won 1-0 at home, but Verdão overturned the 3-0 victory at Palestra Itália, with Alex standing out.

River had names like Gallardo, Sorín, Saviola and Pablo Aimar, so the retrospect is a warning for the Argentine team.

In 2020, the scenario repeated itself. Palmeiras won 3-0 away and held on to the lead despite a 2-0 defeat in the return leg at Allianz Parque. This was because the Argentines, despite boasting experienced players like Enzo Pérez, Montiel, Nacho, De la Cruz, Borré, and Julián Álvarez, were unable to advance. Therefore, recent history fuels Brazilian fans' confidence for the upcoming match.

Marcelo Gallardo and the taboo

It's worth noting that Marcelo Gallardo, currently River's coach, was present at all of these meetings: as a player in 1999 and as a coach in 2020. Thus, the club's legend faces a personal challenge, as he has yet to overcome Palmeiras in the knockout stages of the Libertadores.

Furthermore, the pressure on the Argentine increases with the fans' expectations and the importance of the game for the competition.

Expectations for the quarterfinals

Therefore, River Plate's preparation involves overcoming a historical taboo, adjusting defensive and offensive strategies, and restoring the squad's confidence. Thus, the match against Palmeiras promises to be decisive and intense, with maximum attention to tactical details.

Therefore, Brazilian fans are already celebrating the chance to see their club maintain its historic advantage and advance to the Libertadores semifinals.

Furthermore, the clash reinforces Palmeiras' relevance as a continental force, while River Plate seeks, with Gallardo, to break a cycle of frustration and write a new story.