The final game of the group stage of the Libertadores is upon is. One team is qualified, one team has an outside chance of making the Copa Sudamericana. This should be a formality for Atletico, but a wounded animal is always dangerous, can Alianza be that animal?
Key Takeaways
· Atletico Paranaenense are already qualified for the next round and will look to finish top of their group.
· They currently sit 1st, but their divisional rivals Atletico Mineiro are just one point behind.
· Alianza Lima have had a torrid tournament, but with a win and with Atletico Mineiro beating 3rd place Libertad, they could still qualify for the Sudamericana.
Atletico Paranaense Form
Atletico Paranaense currently sit 9th in the Brazilian Serie A after 12 games in reasonable form of 2 wins, 2 losses, and a draw in their last five. But they have come alive in the group stage of the Libertadores so far, losing only once to fellow Brazilian side, Atletico Mineiro.
Alianza Lima Form
Alianza Lima have not done well in the competition thus far, but have secured a win against the current third-place team and the one they would like to usurp, Libertad, with a 2-1 win away from home. But that remains their only win in the competition this time around. Domestically, they are fresh of winning Liga 1 and have started their campaign with a win and have defeated Melgar in the Copa Bicentanario
Head-to-Head
In their previous match which was actually the first meeting between the two sides, Alianza Lima managed a draw against Atletico after dominating possession and Thiago Helenos 78th minute dismissal.
Team News
Alianza Lima will be without several players due to injury, with doubts over Gabriel Costa and Pablo Sabbag out with leg and ankle injuries respectively. There are also concerns for Gino Peruzzi and Andres Andrade, who will play no part in this important fixture and Cristian Benavente will not feature following a knee problem.
Paranaense will be without the long-term absentee Marcelo Cirino as he undergoes rehabilitation for his knee ligaments and Leo Cittadini will most likely not feature after only just returning from a hamstring injury.
Key Players
This will be a game that could be decided by the experience of the squads, but Atletico Paranaense can call on the exuberance of the exciting Vitor Roque as well, the 18-year-old has 6 goals and 2 assists to his name in just 11 appearances this term and will look to continue to nurture his effective partnership with attacking midfielder, Vitor Bueno.
Alianza Lima are not without their own teeth however, they have the vastly experienced 38 years’ young, Hernan Barcos. The former Argentina international has been a revelation for Alianza since joining and has a remarkable 9 league goals in 8 games and will look to keep up his impressive scoring.
Final Thoughts
The Brazilian side have the quality in depth running throughout their squad and it will be hard for Alianza Lima to overcome this, even with a recent draw against their opponents, they will struggle to take a meaningful result.
Copa Libertadores
Brasileiro Serie A
Primera Division