Botafogo faces Atlético-MG in the battle for glory in the 2024 Libertadores final

The grand finale of the 2024 CONMEBOL Libertadores is just around the corner. This Saturday, November 30, the iconic Monumental de Núñez Stadium in Buenos Aires will host a clash between two Brazilian powerhouses: Botafogo and Atlético-MG. This duel isn't just a fight for "Glory Eternal"; it's also a milestone in the history of both clubs, arriving at this decisive moment from distinct yet equally thrilling paths.

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Botafogo in search of first title

Botafogo enters the final carrying the weight of expectation and the thrill of novelty. It’s their first-ever Libertadores final, and the journey to get here has been nothing short of heroic. Every step forward brought a sense of overcoming the odds, something that’s come to define this squad.

Since the Round of 16, Botafogo has been up against some of the competition's most historical teams. First, they knocked out three-time champion Palmeiras with a hair-raising aggregate score of 4-3. Then came another three-time champion, São Paulo, and Botafogo triumphed in the penalty shootout, the young Matheus Martins sealing the decisive kick.

In the semifinals, Botafogo faced off against Uruguay's five-time champion Peñarol. In Rio de Janeiro, the side turned in a convincing performance, beating their opponents 5-0 to establish a big advantage. They lost 3-1 in the second leg, but were never in any danger of missing out on a final berth.

History is not always on the side of first-time finalists. Of the 43 teams to have reached their first-ever Libertadores final, only 17 have gone on to lift the trophy. That said, Botafogo can take heart from recent success stories such as San Lorenzo, champions in 2014, and Atlético-MG, who won their maiden title in 2013.

Atlético-MG in search of a second star

While Botafogo is in pursuit of its first win, Atlético-MG is out to solidify its status among the best in South America. The Galo, champions in 2013, return to the final with hopes of maintaining their perfect record in Libertadores deciders.

Under the command of Gabriel Milito, Atlético-MG has become a dominant force throughout this tournament. In the Round of 16, the team outdid San Lorenzo thanks to a home win in the second leg. The quarterfinals brought a fierce battle with reigning champions Fluminense, where Atlético-MG staged a thrilling home comeback, winning 2-1 after a narrow loss 1-0 away at the Maracanã.

Their semifinal outing against Argentina's giants, River Plate, was simply great. A commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg, with goals by Paulinho and Deyverson, left little in doubt. A goalless draw in the return leg at the Monumental — site of the final — sealed their ticket to the championship match.

The stats say it all: the forward has scored 14 goals in the last two editions of the tournament, seven of those this season. Hulk, meanwhile, remains the top playmaker in Libertadores history for Atlético-MG, with 10 assists. A final for the ages This final has it all. It is not just another Brazilian derby; it is a clash of styles, legacies, and strategies.

On the sidelines, the coaches will also have a chance to shine: Gabriel Milito, at Atlético-MG, seeks to become the first Argentine manager to win the Libertadores with a Brazilian team. On the other side, Artur Jorge hopes to keep the good streak of Portuguese coaches in the competition.

The style of Atlético-MG is based on maintaining the ball in their power. With 64.7% on average for this championship, Galo dictates the rhythm to the game with few other clubs. The decisive issue here might turn into the final battle, against Botafogo.

Meanwhile, Botafogo’s strength lies in its balance and ability to handle high-pressure moments. Their campaign has shown a knack for stepping up when it matters most, a quality that could prove vital in such a high-stakes match.

The backdrop of a Brazilian rivalry

This will be the seventh Libertadores final between teams from the same country, with Brazil well in the driver's seat of recent editions. That will be extended by this year's winner to six in a row by Brazilian clubs.

A win would bring Brazil within reach of equalling Argentina's record of a total Libertadores titles haul of 25. This final isn't about the glory of the clubs; rather, it's for the continental supremacy.