Flamengo lift Copa Libertadores, but Brazil's players look exhausted

"Flamengo and Palmeiras have broken away from the pack. The two giants have now claimed the last five continental titles between them, and, in the next few days, Flamengo look likely to wrap up the Brazilian Serie A title too -- prolonging the celebrations after winning the Saturday's Libertadores final 1-0. Palmeiras, for their part, will run a close second in a championship that has been won by either the Mengão or the Verdão in seven of the last 10 seasons."

"Representing a number of different national teams, the majority of Flamengo and Palmeiras players were in action during the recent FIFA international window. On the Tuesday, then, many were playing in Europe, Mexico or the United States. The next day, they were back on the field in crunch domestic games. With Flamengo and Palmeiras going toe-to-toe for the domestic title, there was no chance for anyone to take their foot off the pedal."

"This clearly took some of the shine away from Saturday's Copa Libertadores decider in Lima, when an eagerly awaited "final of the century" turned into an attritional battle. The Libertadores final was a very different match from the bright, open and attractive encounter they fought out in the league in the middle of last month. Flamengo won that one 3-2 -- and there were many more goals in the Maracana that day than efforts on target in Lima. It needs a somewhat charitabl"

Flamengo and Palmeiras have dominated recent continental and domestic competitions, claiming five of the last continental titles between them and driving Brazil's seven-year Libertadores winning streak. Flamengo appear likely to clinch the Serie A title while Palmeiras will finish close behind, continuing a pattern where either Mengão or Verdão won seven of the last ten seasons. The clubs' success has produced a punishing schedule and an accumulation of matches that borders on inhumane for players. Many first-team players represented national teams during the FIFA window, playing abroad one day and returning immediately for crucial domestic fixtures. The Libertadores final in Lima was attritional and less open than their earlier high-scoring Maracanã meeting.

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