What if history repeats itself? Last year the Botafogo he immediately squandered a huge lead over the Palmeiras (in August it was 13 points) and failed to win the Brazilian Serie A. This time too, ‘O Glorioso let Abel Ferreira’s team catch up: leading since the 25th matchday, they are now second on goal difference with three rounds to go. And the next round reserves a decisive direct clash for the awarding of the title.
John Textor’s club is preparing to experience the most important week of its season and has no other choice: it must win, also because the calendar will feature matches against Internacional and Sao Paulo, the fifth and sixth of the class, in the running for a place in the next Libertadores. Palmeiras will instead face Cruzeiro (7th) and Fluminense (16th and in full relegation battle).
“We have to play this match before the Copa Libertadores final but we want to win. However, when we saw the calendar we knew that we had to beat them away to become champions. They are last year’s champions and we like to play in their stadium, even if in the last few games we haven’t managed to get the three points. It’s frustrating: a lot of ball possession, a lot of goals, a lot of quality but zero victories,” said Textor. Botafogo will play in the first Copa Libertadores final in their history against Atlético Mineiro on 30 November. Three days to go down in history or find yourself sadly empty-handed.