Other Games - 2024/25

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I was nervous for you. Great defending against what seemed like a relentless wave of corners.
Great result as Al Hilal were probably favourites. I thought Freitas and Ignacio at the back were good and Arias showed glimpses.

Cheers, I thought those corners would never end.

Yeah, Al-Hilal were clear favourites with the bookies and having not watched them before this, I didn't realise they had signed so many good players from European clubs.

It makes it all the more impressive. You hoping for Palmeiras in the semi?

[Toronto Villa]

Let’s hope for an all Brazilian SF

[Brazilian Villain]

It makes it all the more impressive. You hoping for Palmeiras in the semi?

Yes, because I don't want Chelsea to get the additional money. Palmeiras are my favoured São Paulo team anyway (they wear green and my Paulistano friends support them). After nearly getting relegated last season, Flu have been in bonus territory since beating Inter, so pressure's off to a large extent. Getting to the final and another $30m in the coffers would be nice though.

[Brazilian Villain]

Let’s hope for an all Brazilian SF

Hopefully. Personal preferences aside, it's better that it's not 4 European teams in the semi-finals (plus there's the $$$ that they miss out on).

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I take it it’s very tribal in Brazilian football so obviously Flamengo fans will be hoping any opponent beats Fluminense but what about supporters of other clubs, will they be supporting the Brazilian team? Same goes for Palmeiras, not sure who their rivals are as I think Corinthians and São Paulo is the big derby.

[Brazilian Villain]

The biggest derby in São Paulo is probably Corinthians v Palmeiras. National pride aside, it's understandable that Flamengo fans wouldn't Flu to win given the amounts of cash involved (e.g. Flu's revenue in 2023 was $95m, and they've earned $60m so far). Having said that, I did want Flamengo to beat Bayern as a Brazilian friend had travelled up to the game from Cayman. At least she had a couple of goals to celebrate, despite the disappointing result.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Ah thanks for correcting me about São Paulo derby as I presumed wrong.
This could be transformative for Flu and Palmeiras then and increase the financial stranglehold that Brazilian football has on SA football.

[Brazilian Villain]

This could be transformative for Flu and Palmeiras then and increase the financial stranglehold that Brazilian football has on SA football.

It will certainly help Flu, but probably won't be as transformative as you might think when the top 3 clubs for revenue are
Flamengo   $280m
Corinthians $191m
Palmeiras  $185m

As for the stranglehold Brazilian football has, that's to be expected given it's by far the richest country e.g. Brasil has 26 states, and 3 of them (Rio, São Paulo and Minas Gerais) account for approx. 25% of South America's GDP.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

I didn’t think the revenues would be that high, even though they are massive clubs.

The stranglehold is to be expected but there used to be a bit more of an even spread of winners of the Libertadores anyway, or at least a spread mainly between Brazil and Argentina. There also seems to be more mid range Argentine players going to Brazil. I suppose it’s a good opportunity to earn better wages but still relatively close to home in a kind of similar culture.

[Toronto Villa]

Reece James, as excellent a player as he is, is constantly injured. Broke down in the warm up for tonight’s game.

[Toronto Villa]

So far, Palmeiras have been quite poor. Chelsea haven’t had to do much to be in front. What’s been apparent is that Liam Delap is a fucking donkey. Just a big lump up front, and constantly fouling, elbows, pushing in the back of defenders. Nothing of value. Fully expect a second half hat trick now of course but up to now he looks really average.

[Toronto Villa]

Lovely 1-1. Future Chelsea player Estêvão with a nice finish.

Bollocks. Chelsea win. Keeper OG.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

Lovely 1-1. Future Chelsea player Estêvão with a nice finish.

Bollocks. Chelsea win. Keeper OG.

Just seen the highlights, awful goalkeeping.

[Brazilian Villain]

Didn't realise the game was last night (not that I would have stayed up for it). Shame Chelsea won, and they're now heavy favourites to win the semi-final.

[Brazilian Villain]

I didn’t think the revenues would be that high, even though they are massive clubs.

Neither did I, until I checked how much difference the prize money would make to Fluminense.

It's worth noting that the revenues would be much higher (in US$) if the Brazilian Real wasn't so weak (currently R$5.4:US$1). I was also surprised that a lot of the top-flight clubs are relatively profitable e.g Flamengo's wage bill is US$94m, Palmeiras US$83m, Fluminense US$66m.