April 12 – On Saturday, the Brazilian Serie A kicks off with giants Flamengo and powerhouse Palmeiras favourites to claim the title.
The Rio club has the best squad and the best manager in the country and backed up their title credentials with victory in the Rio state championship and a good start to their campaign in the Copa Libertadores.
Flamengo went undefeated to win the Carioca and Tite has combined his resources to find a good balance for the team. They will however have to manage expectations, an unforgiving calendar and the Copa America when the national team will select Flamengo players.
Nine rounds of matches will be played during the continental finals, hosted by the United States. It once again highlights how dysfunctional the Brazilian football calendar is. In 2025, Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense will play in the Club World Cup and their participation will similarly affect the domestic league.
Tite has said that he will sit down with Flamengo’s board to discuss which competitions the club wants to prioritise, calling it ‘inhumane’ to compete on all fronts. On Sunday, Flamengo travel to Atletico Goianiense for their opening game.
In their fifth season under Portuguese manager Abel Ferreira, Palmeiras share the tag of favourites with Flamengo. The defending champions have maintained the core of their squad and will count on teenage sensation Endrick, before his departure to Real Madrid this summer, to kickstart the season.
The club won the Sao Paulo state championship and will kick off their Serie A campaign against Vitoria.
Atletico Mineiro are seen as outsiders to challenge both Flamengo and Palmeiras. The club from Belo Horizonte let veteran manager Luiz Felipe Scolari go and brought in Gabriel Milito of Argentina while sticking to last season’s squad. They won the Mineiro state championship against crosstown rivals Cruzeiro and have reinforced their midfield with Gustavo Scarpa.
On the back of an irregular start to the…
Source link : https://www.insideworldfootball.com/2024/04/12/brazils-serie-set-kick-off-flamengo-palmeiras-favourites-title/
Author : Paul Nicholson
Publish date : 2024-04-12 13:21:38
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