Fernando Diniz has achieved a significant milestone by becoming only the third coach to reach consecutive continental finals, having led Cruzeiro to the Sul-Americana final after a victory over Lanús. Last year, he won the Libertadores with Fluminense. The other semifinal for the Sul-Americana is between Corinthians and Racing. Diniz joins Marcelo Gallardo and Reinaldo Rueda in this rare achievement.

The Superior Tribunal of Sports Justice (STJD) converted the suspension of Palmeiras' coach Abel Ferreira into a fine of R$ 100,000. Ferreira was initially suspended for two games for making an obscene gesture during a match against Flamengo. The decision was made following a disciplinary transaction agreement between the sports justice prosecutor, Palmeiras, and Ferreira, as stated by auditor Marco Aurélio Choy.

Jürgen Klopp, now the global director of football at Red Bull, revisited the 2018 Champions League final incident involving Sergio Ramos and Mohamed Salah during a podcast with Toni Kroos. Klopp questioned Ramos' character, describing the tackle that injured Salah as 'brutal.' Despite Klopp's criticism, Kroos defended Ramos as a great teammate. The match ended with Real Madrid defeating Liverpool 3-1, and Ramos had previously dismissed responsibility for Salah's injury.

Four Brazilian football clubs, São Paulo, Flamengo, Corinthians, and Fluminense, are recognized among the top 30 most productive youth academies globally, according to a study by the Swiss institute CIES. São Paulo leads the Brazilian clubs, ranking 17th, while Flamengo, Corinthians, and Fluminense are positioned 24th, 27th, and 30th, respectively. The study evaluates clubs based on the number of young players they have developed who are active in top football leagues worldwide. Benfica, Boca Junior, and Barcelona occupy the top three positions in the ranking.

Vinícius Jr. expressed solidarity with victims of the floods in Valencia, Spain, which have resulted in over 60 deaths. Despite previous racist incidents involving Valencia fans, the Brazilian player extended his support to those affected. Real Madrid, his club, also issued a statement of solidarity. The Spanish Football Federation postponed matches in the region due to the floods, including games involving Valencia and Levante.

Arsenal and Manchester City are set to clash in a pivotal Premier League match, with only one point separating them at the top of the table. Arsenal leads the league and aims to extend their narrow lead over City. Both teams boast strong offensive and defensive records, with Arsenal having the best defense in the league. Liverpool, tied in points with Arsenal, hopes for a draw between the two to potentially take the lead. The match is crucial in the race for the English championship, with three teams vying for the title.

Good Friday, also known as Holy Friday, marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a significant day in the Christian calendar. The Catholic Church advises its followers to perform penances, including abstaining from red meat, as a form of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. Father José Ulisses Leva explains that this practice is tied to the symbolism of Christ's body. Nutritionist Maria Clara Santana assures that abstaining from red meat poses no health risks and suggests alternative protein sources like chicken and fish.

Flamengo announced its list of players for the 2024 Copa Libertadores, including Gabigol, who is suspended for an anti-doping violation. The list features 50 players, including several from the club's youth division. Flamengo, a three-time Libertadores champion, will compete in a group with Bolívar, Millionarios, and Palestino, starting their campaign against the Colombian team in Bogotá.

The study investigates the effects of Chromium Picolinate on Leydig cell steroidogenesis and antioxidant balance using an in vitro model of insulin resistance. High doses of Chromium Picolinate were found to be cytotoxic to Leydig cells, while lower doses did not cause significant damage. Chromium Picolinate did not demonstrate antidiabetic effects in Leydig cells affected by insulin resistance but did reduce oxidative stress in cells subjected to insulin resistance. Additionally, Chromium Picolinate alone did not affect basal androgen production but increased androstenedione production in the presence of palmitate, suggesting it promotes cholesterol conversion into androgenic intermediates under insulin resistance conditions. The study concludes that while Chromium Picolinate has some antioxidant effects, caution is advised regarding its use as a nutritional supplement due to potential reproductive health risks.

Leila Pereira, president of Palmeiras, addressed criticisms regarding her decision to hold a women-only press conference, emphasizing the need to combat sexism in football. She highlighted the challenges of being one of the few women in South American sports leadership and called for greater female representation in the industry.