Preview: Flamengo vs. Athletico Paranaense - prediction, team news, lineups

Flamengo are looking to lift the trophy for the third time, while their opponents are aiming to become first-time winners of the competition.

Match preview

Flamengo have won South America's premier club competition on two occasions - in 1981 and 2019 - but they came agonisingly close to claiming the silverware last term.

In another all-Brazilian final, they went to extra time with Palmeiras after Gabriel Barbosa cancelled out Raphael Veiga's opener, but a Deyverson winner in the 95th minute left Flamengo empty-handed.

While Renato Gaucho led Flamengo into last year's final, it is the turn of Dorival Junior, who is in his third spell in charge of the club after taking over from Paulo Sousa in June.

Junior has guided his side through the knockout stages, which have included an 8-1 aggregate victory over Deportes Tolima, before they ousted Corinthians in the quarter-finals.

Another comfortable tie followed in the semi-final as Flamengo cruised to a 6-1 win across the two legs of their semi-final meeting with Velez Sarsfield to secure their place in the final for the third time in four years.

As they look to go one step further than they did last term, Flamengo can draw inspiration from the fact that they have already won the Copa do Brasil this season and are currently unbeaten in eight games.

While Flamengo are aiming to become three-time winners of the Copa Libertadores, Athletico PR are looking to win the competition for the first time in their history.

They have recent experience of performing in South American club competitions after winning the Copa Sudamericana in 2018 and 2021.

Athletico PR also finished runners-up of the Copa Libertadores in 2005 when they lost 5-1 to Sao Paulo in a final that was played over two legs.

In contrast to their opponents, Luiz Felipe Scolari's side experienced a number of close contests in the knockout rounds, beginning with a 3-2 aggregate win over Libertad in the last 16.

One goal over two legs proved enough to beat Estudiantes before they eliminated the defending champions Palmeiras in the semi-finals with a 3-2 victory on aggregate.

Although the club have never won the competition, Scolari has lifted the trophy on two previous occasions - in 1995 with Gremio and 1999 with Palmeiras - and he will look to end his 23-year wait for his third Copa Libertadores title on Saturday.

Flamengo Copa Libertadores form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Flamengo form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

W

Athletico Paranaense Copa Libertadores form:

W

D

D

W

W

D

Athletico Paranaense form (all competitions):

W

D

L

W

L

L

Team News

Flamengo will be without the services of Rodrigo Caio and Bruno Henrique due to injury issues, but Junior should have the majority of his squad to choose form.

David Luiz will partner Leo Pereira in central defence, while Rodinei and Filipe Luis are expected to operate as Flamengo's full-backs.

Pedro has scored 12 goals in the Copa Libertadores this season, and he will look to add to his tally when he leads the line alongside Barbosa.

As for Athletico PR, they will be unable to call upon Marcelo Cirino, who is currently sidelined due to a knee injury.

David Terans came off the bench to score in the second leg of the semi-final, and after top-scoring for his side in the competition, he is expected to start against Flamengo.

Vitor Roque started both legs against Palmeiras, and the forward could be included in the starting lineup for Saturday's final.

Flamengo possible starting lineup:

Santos; Rodinei, Luiz, Pereira, Luis; Ribeiro, Maia, Vidal; De Arrascaeta; Barbosa, Pedro

Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:

Bento; Khellven, Henrique, Heleno, Abner; Fernandinho, Erick; Canobbio, Terans, Vitinho, Roque

We say: Flamengo 2-1 Athletico Paranaense

Although we expect Saturday's final to be a closely-fought contest, we think Flamengo's recent experience of reaching the latter stages of the Copa Libertadores will help beat Athletico PR.

Previews by email