River Plate plays the prestige and dream of being a finalist in its visit to Palmeiras on Tuesday, January 12, in the second stage of the Copa Libertadores semifinal. However, the Brazilian team closes at home with a 3-0 lead, so those led by Marcelo Gallardo need a miracle to get a heroic qualification.
After the important victory in the first round, the Brazilian team will guarantee its presence in the final, scheduled for January 30 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, with a victory by any score, a draw or even a defeat with two goals difference.
To reach the eighth final in Libertadores, on the other hand, River must win 3-0 to take the definition to the penalty or win with three or more goals difference.
The remarkable performance of the “verdao” in Buenos Aires makes it possible to predict that his coach, the Portuguese Abel Ferreira, will repeat the title in Sao Paulo, although he will have to replace the midfielder Patrick de Paula, who will not be able to step on the field from cause of suspension. Also in doubt are Gabriel Verón and Rafael Veiga, who felt muscle discomfort after Saturday’s match for the Brazilian Championship against Sport, apparently caused by the grass covered at the Ilha do Retiro stadium, which demanded more from the players.
Luan and Paraguayan Gustavo Gómez sound safe for Tuesday’s game, but the excellent performance of Chilean Benjamin Kuscevic in the 0-1 victory against Sport does not allow him to rule out his participation against River.
Palmeiras’ good results are the result of the strategy adopted by the Portuguese coach, who after replacing Wanderley Luxembourg in November last year managed to improve his performance ‘verdao’, qualifying him for the Brazilian Cup final and one step closer to reaching the Libertadores final after 20 years of waiting.
The situation for River is not easy, and those led by Marcelo Gallardo need a miracle to overcome 0-3.
For the Colombian Jorge Carrascal, expelled in the first round, Gallardo could replace him with Federico Girotti, who at only 21 years old showed remarkable conditions, but could also decide Julián Álvarez, although he is not in the best his moment.
The defense should also have changes, with Paulo Díaz, Robert Rojas and Javier Pinola in the center, and Gonzalo Montiel and Fabrizio Angileri in the wings.