Used to defining knockout matches at home, Palmeiras has not been eliminated from the Libertadores by deciding their place as a visitor for almost two decades and has been trying to prevent this from happening again. This Wednesday, at 7pm, the alviverde team duels with Cerro Porteño, in Asunción.
Palmeiras decides to place in the Libertadores in Paraguay to avoid a feat that hasn't happened in 17 years
Used to defining knockout matches at home, Palmeiras has not been eliminated from the Libertadores by deciding their place as a visitor for almost two decades and has been trying to prevent this from happening again. This Wednesday, at...
As they drew 1-1 in the first game, at home, Palmeiras must win by any score to advance and avoid elimination away from home, something that has not happened in the competition for 17 years. The last fall in this condition, in 2009, was in Montevideo, Uruguay, after a goalless draw with Nacional.
- The team was coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
- In the "Abel era", only once did the team decide to play the Libertadores away from home.
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As they drew 1-1 in the first game, at home, Palmeiras must win by any score to advance and avoid elimination away from home, something that has not happened in the competition for 17 years.
The last fall in this condition, in 2009, was in Montevideo, Uruguay, after a goalless draw with Nacional. The team was coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo. In the "Abel era", only once did the team decide to play the Libertadores away from home. It was in the 2021 semifinal, against Atlético-MG, at Mineirão, and ended with qualifying for the final and, later, the third championship won with victory over Flamengo in the decision.
The only club to advance to the knockout stage in the last ten editions of the Libertadores, Palmeiras is competing in the round of 16 for the 19th time in history and is trying to reach the quarterfinals for the 14th time, isolating itself as the record holder among Brazilians, as it is currently tied with São Paulo.
The team coached by Abel Ferreira defines its life in the Libertadores at its worst moment of the year. There are four games without winning, with two defeats, to Fortaleza and Fluminense, and draws with Inter and Cerro Porteño, in addition to the need to react quickly in the face of demands for better results and also for more consistent football.
The São Paulo team has had a low offensive repertoire and has conceded many goals in recent matches. They saw their lead in the Brasileirão diminish and now they run the risk of falling early in the Libertadores.
"The only way I know to improve, to make things happen, is to work," said defender Alexander Barboza, who was spared from the last duel due to a foot injury. He trained and will be a starter, probably forming a defensive trio again with Gustavo Gómez and Murilo, the latter heavily criticized for his recent failures.
"We here work hard to improve. In the last few games, the results weren't what we wanted, but that's football. We have to know how to get through those moments too," he said.
It will be the 20th duel between Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño, with a favorable record for the Brazilian team: ten wins, six draws and three defeats, in addition to two quarter-finals against the rival, in 2018 and 2022.
However, the recent history shows good results for the Paraguayan team, which did not lose to its Brazilian rival in the current edition of the Libertadores. There were two draws and one victory, which increases the confidence of "El Ciclón".
"On Wednesday, with everything, until death. We are waiting for them to encourage, for them to leave everything there in the stands, while we, on the field, will do everything possible to get through", said the Paraguayan team's midfielder Carlos Chena, 18 years old.
All tickets for the duel have been sold. There will therefore be maximum capacity at the General Pablo Rojas Stadium, "La Nueva Olla", renovated with the direct participation of fans and reopened in 2017.
Members of Cerro Porteño's main organized fan base voluntarily worked on the works, helping to rebuild one of the Paraguayan club's main assets. They hope that a typical Libertadores atmosphere will be created this Wednesday, with more than 40 thousand fans in the stands.
"It's going to be hostile terrain there", recognizes defender Barboza. "They really want to win too, but our desire has to be even greater."
The only new absence from Palmeiras is midfielder Andreas Pereira, suspended due to his expulsion in the first leg. Lucas Evangelista should be the starter. Right-back Khellven, who has recovered, is back. Paulinho remains out.
The Brazilian company Imply, which presents solutions aimed at stadium operations and fan experience, participated in the renovation of Nueva Olla by providing equipment such as LED panels and access management systems.
"Access to the arenas has become more efficient and fans also have a better experience inside the stadium", says Tironi Paz Ortiz, CEO of Imply.
TECHNICAL SHEET
CERRO PORTEÑO
PALMEIRAS: Carlos Miguel; Gustavo Gómez, Barboza and Murilo; Allan, Marlon Freitas, Lucas Evangelista and Piquerez; Arias, Flaco López and Vitor Roque (Maurício). Coach: Abel Ferreira.
CERRO PORTEÑO: Roffo; Quintana, Velázquez, Chaparro and Cañete; Morel, Gamarra, Bobadilla, Fabricio Domínguez and Cecilio Domínguez; Vegetatti. Coach: Ariel Holan.
REFEREE: Facundo Tello (Argentina).
TIME: 7pm.
LOCATION: La Nueva Olla Stadium, in Asunción (PAR).
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