Paulistas face Vélez and Hurricane receives The Strongest
After debuting with a 0-0 draw in Venezuela against Caracas, Athletico hosts The Strongest, from Bolivia, in group B at the Arena da Baixada.
This is the third time that the clubs face each other in the biggest competition in South America. In 2014, Hurricane won at home 1-0, with a goal from Paulinho Dias. In the return, with a goal from Adriano Imperador, Athletico lost by 2 to 1 and was eliminated in the group stage.
Announced on Wednesday, the new coach commanded the last training session and will be on the edge of the lawn. He counts on the return of striker Pablo, recovered from thigh pain. On the right side, the doubt is again between Orejuela and Khellven.
Thiago Heleno, Nico Hernández, Erick, Matheus Fernandes, Kawan, Léo Cittadini, Julimar, Reinaldo and Matheus Babi (medical department) are out.
Like Hurricane, the Bolivians also debuted with a draw. In Bolivia, the team was 1-1 against Libertad, from Paraguay.
The Strongest’s main names are Argentine striker Enrique Triverio, with two goals this year, and Bolivian attacking midfielder Henry Vaca, with one goal and three assists. The Aurinegro team also has forward Rafinha, revealed in Flamengo and with passages through Bahia, Atlético-GO and Avaí. The absences are defender Ismael Benegas, injured, and striker Martín Prost, suspended.
Later, at 21:00 (Brasília time), RB Bragantino will face Vélez Sarsfield, at José Amalfitani, in Argentina, for the second round of Group C.
The confrontation brings together two teams in opposite situations in the table. While Massa Bruta debuted with a 2-0 victory over Nacional-UR, Vélez seeks recovery after being thrashed 4-1 by Estudiantes in the opening of the competition.
For a later match, coach Maurício Barbieri must repeat the debut lineup. The coach spared the main players against Juventude last Monday and does not count on Artur, the team’s main highlight. Helinho and Sorriso should be the starters on the wings again.
Interim commander of Vélez, coach Julio Vaccari will not be able to count on defender Lautaro Giannetti. The player is one of the team’s references and suffered a torn ligament in his left knee last weekend. Matías de los Santos and Damián Fernánez are the likely replacements, with Damián being the most likely to start.
