Undefeated. That's how Flamengo reached the grand final of the Conmebol Sudamericana. With two resounding victories over Palestino of Chile, with five goals scored by the "Mais Querido" (Most Beloved) in both matches, the first challenge was won. Next, it was time to eliminate Chapecoense with another impressive victory, this time 4-0. The thrilling derby against Fluminense marked the quarter-finals, in which the heroic 3-3 draw secured advancement to the next phase after a 1-0 victory in the first leg.

Then it was time to face Junior Barranquilla. In the first leg, played at the Maracanã, the support of the fans was fundamental in allowing coach Reinaldo Rueda's team to overturn a 1-0 deficit, with goals from Juan and Vizeu. In the second leg, played at the Metropolitano stadium in Barranquilla, a 2-0 victory took the Flamengo team to the grand final of the Conmebol Sudamericana.

In the final, they will face Independiente. The club representing the red side of Avellaneda, located in Greater Buenos Aires, defeated Allianza Lima-PER in the first phase of the competition and, in the following stage, easily overcame Deportes Iquique-CHI.

Advancing to the round of 16, it was time to face their compatriots from Atlético Tucumán-ARG. The duel was more balanced. At the José Fierro Stadium, the Argentine team prevailed by a single goal. But in the return match, in front of a packed Libertadores de América Stadium, the result was reversed with a 2-0 victory.

In the next stage, the Argentinian team passed Nacional-PAR, with an aggregate score of 6-1, before defeating the Paraguayan side Libertad. In the first leg of the semi-final, played at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción, Óscar Cardozo scored the lone goal that gave the advantage to the black and white side. However, proving once again their strength at home, Independiente won 3-1 and secured their place in the grand final of the international competition.

Historic clashes have been played between the teams. In 1999 and 2001, the teams met twice in the defunct Copa Mercosur, with Flamengo holding the advantage in recent encounters. In overall numbers, Flamengo also has the lead, with seven wins against three for the Argentinian team, in addition to four draws.

Flamengo won the 1999 edition, in two matches with large score margins against Palmeiras. But before that, in the quarter-final stage, the team led by the legendary coach Carlinhos overcame Independiente. In Buenos Aires, the 1-1 score left the tie open for the return match, played at the Maracanã. In front of the Flamengo fans, a 4-0 victory secured Flamengo's advancement to the semi-finals.

Two seasons later, after securing first place in the strong Group 2 of the international competition – which included San Lorenzo-ARG, Nacional-URU and Olimpia-PAR – Flamengo faced Independiente again. The history of the duels was similar to the previous one. After a draw in Avellaneda, another 4-0 victory, this time in a match played in Brasília, took the team coached by Zagallo to the final.

One of the key figures in that match was Juan, who scored two of the four goals in that victory. Sixteen years later, a new victorious chapter could be written by the current Flamengo number 4 in the history of the rivalry. On December 6th, at the Libertadores de América Stadium in Avellaneda, the grand final of the Conmebol Sudamericana will begin, with the champion to be crowned on the 13th of the same month at the Maracanã.

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