Palmeiras creates a Copa-like atmosphere at the World Cup and gains an advantage over Brazilian rivals
Philadelphia (USA) - Despite not filling the extensive stands of North American stadiums, the Palmeiras register an average of slightly less than 50,000 fans in the three group stage matches of the World Cup and gains an advantage over the other three Brazilian clubs.
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In New York, the headquarters of the first two matches in the competition, the green-clad fans staged a true invasion, whether at the MetLife Stadium, at the Palmeiras House set up at the American Dream mall, or in Times Square, the city's main tourist spot.
- I think everyone could see the strength of Palmeiras, especially the Portuguese. Portugal has 10 or 11 million inhabitants, and Palmeiras has 16 million fans. Today, most of them were ours, we were playing at home, and we had the strength of our fans from start to finish. Unfortunately, we couldn't present them with a victory - revealed Abel Ferreira in a press conference after the goalless draw with Porto.
The home crowd factor, as analyzed by Abel, executives, and players, is considered fundamental for the team's aspirations at the Club World Cup. At the same time, the invasion catches the attention of New Yorkers, who are unaccustomed to the South American football culture.
— I think that, at least since last year, we have been organizing to make this party for all the Palmeiras fans who are coming. In fact, this is the union of all Palmeiras fans, all the fan clubs, consulates, uniting to support Palmeiras. Interest in baseball, American football, basketball... there are actually many sports that Americans are interested in. And football ends up not being a priority for them. Here in the United States, surprisingly, the women's game is much stronger than the men's game. The Americans here are shocked by the number of people dressed in green, with so many Palmeiras fans and with the passion that the supporter has for Palmeiras — commented Adriano Branco, president of Palmeiras NY, in an interview. UD News.
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Palmeiras fans live days of celebration at the World Cup
The Palmeiras fans left their mark wherever they went in the United States. Even at Inter Miami's home, the Hard Rock Stadium, they were more vocal and responsible, along with Abel's changes at halftime, for the draw after falling behind by two goals.
The result was fundamental to ensure the club in first place of group A and to avoid a confrontation with PSG, the current champion of the Champions League, already in the round of sixteen.
— In São Paulo, early in the morning, with a layover in Bogotá before going to New York. Our flight was already full and we were at the airport, at the bar. In the city, there was a Palmeiras fan on every block. Many people here in Miami came from elsewhere. I believe we are about two thousand people. I feel like I'm at home, on the coast of São Paulo. We found other people cheering for other teams and the atmosphere is friendly, with no problems at all — reported Matheus Miura, a Palmeiras fan who left Brazil to follow the team. UD News .
Brazilian clubs' average attendance in the group stage of the World Cup
- Palmeiras: 47,456 spectators
- Flamengo: 37,783 spectators
- Botafogo: 35,614 spectators
- Fluminense: 26,123 spectators
* The list only counts the duels from the group stage of the World Cup
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