During the live program “Lance a Lance!” on Wednesday (6), journalists discussed the significance of the Copa do Brasil in the planning of Brazilian teams. According to Pedro Werneck, clubs that have dominated national football in recent years, such as Flamengo and Palmeiras, find it challenging to decide their approach to the tournament.
Werneck described the situation, stating, “For these giant teams, the Copa do Brasil has almost become a burden. Being eliminated can trigger a crisis and render the season unsuccessful. Winning it becomes a means to salvage the season. It’s not the top priority, but if they fail, the fans become furious.” He highlighted that Flamengo has only secured one of the last six major titles (Copa do Brasil, Brasileirão, and Libertadores).
Another commentator, Rafael Mello, emphasized the criticism teams face for not prioritizing the Copa do Brasil, especially when they have not won another major competition that season. He mentioned the haunting legacy of making the wrong choice: “If you neglect the Copa do Brasil, get eliminated, and don’t secure another title, you will be remembered forever for that decision.”
This debate arises as both Flamengo and Palmeiras approached their Copa do Brasil matches differently this week. Flamengo chose to rest some players in their first-leg encounter against Atlético-MG, where they suffered a 1-0 loss at Maracanã. In contrast, Palmeiras decided to forgo an entire lineup against Vitória in the Brasileirão to ensure they could perform at full strength in their upcoming match against Corinthians, which they also lost by the same scoreline.
Both clubs are under significant pressure from their fan bases, as they face major rivals—Flamengo in an interstate matchup and Palmeiras in a state derby.
In a historic context, the commentators noted that from 2001 to 2012, Brazilian teams participating in the Libertadores did not engage in the Copa do Brasil, making it a priority for most competitors. However, recent years have seen substantial prize money awarded for the cup, discouraging teams from sidelining it in their seasonal planning.
The knockout stage of the Copa do Brasil features several returning matches, including notable clashes like Palmeiras vs. Corinthians and Atlético-MG vs. Flamengo. The intensity of the competition is palpable, and fans can expect more thrilling football as these storied clubs battle for glory in the tournament.
In this period of high tension and expectation, it’s an opportune moment for teams like Flamengo and Palmeiras to rise to the occasion and showcase their resilience, navigating the pressures of both fans’ demands and competitive aspirations.