Palmeiras x Cerro Porteño is the most frequently played international game in the history of the Libertadores and a special duel for three Paraguayans from the São Paulo team: defender and captain Gustavo Gómez, attacking midfielder Maurício and striker Ramón Sosa. The trio played in the last World Cup for Paraguay and are an important part of the Alviverde team, which faces its Paraguayan rival this Wednesday in the round of 16 of the continental competition. The ball rolls at 7pm, at Nubank Parque.
Palmeiras reencontra Cerro Porteño com trio paraguaio como arma por vaga na Libertadores
Palmeiras x Cerro Porteño is the most frequently played international game in the history of the Libertadores and a special duel for three Paraguayans from the São Paulo team: defender and captain Gustavo Gómez, attacking midfielder...
The three are Palmeiras' weapons in their quest to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament, in which they are trying to win their fourth title. An idol of the São Paulo club, Gómez is known as "El Capitán" and has had great respect in Paraguayan football since his days at Libertad, one of Cerro's rivals.
- Sosa, a 26-year-old striker, played little in the World Cup because of an injury.
- At Palmeiras, he became a starter and found the net twice in the last five matches.
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The three are Palmeiras' weapons in their quest to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament, in which they are trying to win their fourth title. An idol of the São Paulo club, Gómez is known as "El Capitán" and has had great respect in Paraguayan football since his days at Libertad, one of Cerro's rivals.
Sosa, a 26-year-old striker, played little in the World Cup because of an injury. At Palmeiras, he became a starter and found the net twice in the last five matches.
Maurício became a naturalized Paraguayan at the beginning of the year and gained the spotlight of the press and fans, who were enchanted by the player from Palmeiras. Since returning from the World Cup, the attacking midfielder has improved his performance and has been a protagonist. In the World Cup, he found the net in a 4-1 defeat to the United States. It was the South American team's first goal in the competition.
The duo participated in eight of Palmeiras' 13 goals since the return of the championships. Maurício scored four times, while Sosa scored two goals and provided two assists.
"Maurício and Sosa have been spectacular", exclaimed coach Abel Ferreira in a recent interview. "We like a support player and depth in the team. The championship is long, there are many competitions, I need everyone and everyone shows it on a daily basis."
The three are considered starters. Sosa, however, must make way for Flaco López, who has become a reserve since returning from the World Cup. The Argentine striker, the team's main player this season, is expected to resume his place among the 11.
Gómez was absent from the last few matches due to a muscle injury. He recovered, participated in the last training sessions and should be on the field.
Defender Bruno Fuchs, in physical transition, right-back Khellven and striker Paulinho, both undergoing treatment for injuries to their right thigh, are absent.
There were 18 matches between Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño, with a favorable record for the Brazilian team: ten wins, five draws and three defeats. This is the third clash between the teams in the Libertadores knockout stage. In the other two, in the 2018 and 2022 round of 16, the alviverde team qualified.
A POSSIBLE DREAM
Cerro Porteño plays in the capital of São Paulo confident that beating Palmeiras is not an impossible challenge, as they know what it's like to beat their rival away from home. In the first phase, the Paraguayans defeated Abel Ferreira's team 1-0 at Nubank Parque.
Former Vasco player Pablo Vegetti scored the goal in that triumph and also scored two others in the first phase. The Argentine center forward is the highlight of the team led by Ariel Holan, praised for putting together a strong defensive team, which conceded just two goals in six matches in the tournament.
Cerro seeks to overthrow favorite Palmeiras to continue dreaming of an unprecedented achievement. The club has accumulated six semifinals and is trying to reach the first decision in its history.
TECHNICAL SHEET
PALMEIRAS
PALMEIRAS - Carlos Miguel; Gómez, Barboza and Murilo; Allan, Andreas Pereira, Marlon Freitas and Piquerez; Arias, Mauricio and Flaco López. Coach: Abel Ferreira.
CERRO PORTEÑO - Roffo; Cañete, Velázquez, Pérez and Chaparro; Paredes, Da Motta, Morel and Domínguez; Torres and Vegetti. Coach: Ariel Holan.
REFEREE - Gustavo Tejera (URU).
TIME - 7pm.
LOCATION - Nubank Parque, in São Paulo (SP).
Palm trees 'on fire' with message to Abel: 'Portuga, patience is over'
Organized fans stated that the message “Patience is over” was not aimed at the Portuguese coach or the players. Group criticized refereeing, VAR and part of the press and promised support for Palmeiras on and off the field