Opinion – PVC: Libertadores Final in a single game should be debated, but with another argument

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The news reports that there is a risk of robberies for journalists who work around the Monumental stadium in Guayaquil, and this is one of the criticisms for the realization of the single final of Libertadores, in Ecuador. The accounting indicates 200 homicides in the last 60 days in the country.

It deserves debate whether the final should have two games again, but the argument needs to be different. The state of Rio de Janeiro recorded the lowest homicide rate in 31 years. It was 1994 in eight months. If Ecuadorians suffer from 100 murders every 30 days, Rio de Janeiro people have 250 in the same period.

Sometimes, we Brazilians think we are in Munich. Finals in Maracanã and Morumbi, in República das Milícias or in Paraisópolis, that can.

In Guayaquil, it cannot.

Despite the fragile argument, it is even worth considering that the celebration of the finals of the Copa do Brasil, going at Neo Química Arena, back at Maracanã, was much more beautiful than you will probably see at the Monumental stadium. CONMEBOL projects 40,000 spectators, and there may be much less than that.

It’s not easy to move around South America, unlike what happens in Europe in the Champions League. There are differences in the number and prices of flights, as well as in the purchasing power of the population.

The economy is not booming.

As much as who circulates around the stage of the final, Flamengo and Athletico need attention. The holders of Dorival Júnior have not won any of their last four games, defeat to Fluminense, draws with Internacional and, twice, with Corinthians.

The biggest crowd in the country is so private that it complained about the lineup of reserves, 40 days ago, and protested against the use of holders, against Santos.

There are explanations.

Before, the attempt to chase Palmeiras, when climbing reserves at Allianz Parque and against Ceará. Now, the fear of hurting the main players four days from the Libertadores final. It also goes through the schizophrenia of this country, in which Dorival Júnior has a chance of going to the national team if he wins the two knockouts or of being fired from Flamengo if he loses the final on Saturday (29).

Athletico played nine times and only won two since the draw with Palmeiras that qualified them for the final. This can indicate minimal chances against the best squad in South America, or lack of concentration on the Brazilian as he prepares for the game of life for those who inhabit the Arena da Baixada.

Felipão will not take neglect for an answer, in what could be the last act of his stupendous career.

Since he descended the Caxias do Sul mountain range, to take over Grêmio, aboard his green Beetle, in 1987, until becoming one of the only three coaches to play in three World Cup semifinals, Felipão never took no for an answer.

The agreement is for him to become sporting director in 2023. In practice, the final against Flamengo will be his last act and could take him to the third Libertadores Cup, unprecedented among coaches in Brazil.

The favorite is Flamengo, due to their ability to surprise in the tables of Gabigol, Pedro, Éverton Ribeiro and De Arrascaeta. Just don’t despise the chances of the red-black from Paraná, nor the pressure of Mario Celso Petraglia.

He always tells Conmebol that his club was robbed in 2005. It was a round trip, but Hurricane had to play in Porto Alegre, because it didn’t have 40,000 seats in its Arena.

As debatable as single-game finals.

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