Athletico visit Estudiantes this Thursday, at 21:30 (Brasília time), at the Jorge Luis Hirschi stadium, for the return game of the Libertadores quarterfinals. In the first game, at Arena da Baixada, the game ended in a 0-0 tie, a new tie takes the classification to penalties.
After saving most of the holders in the Brasileirão, the coach has maximum strength for the match. Felipão should add three defenders, as he did against Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil, and remove forward Canobbio.
The biggest question is whether David Terans remains as the third man in midfield. Alex Santana is the most quoted, with Erick also in contention. Up front, Cuello and Pablo should make the attacking duo.
Ricardo Zielinski should make just one change to the starting lineup. He has the return of striker Leandro Díaz, who has recovered from a muscle injury. He has 10 goals and eight assists in 34 games this season. Thus, Mauro Méndez leaves the attack for its entrance. Already the scheme with three defenders must be maintained.
Statistics of Estudiantes vs Athletico Paranaense
Estudiantes have been unbeaten in 14 of their last 16 home games
Estudiantes scored goals in 14 of the last 16 home matches
Estudiantes went without a win in 9 of the last 11 games
Estudiantes have conceded goals in 10 of the last 12 games
Estudiantes scored goals in 7 of the last 9 matches
Athletico Paranaense went unbeaten in 19 of the last 21 games
Athletico Paranaense was unbeaten in 8 of the last 10 away games
Athletico Paranaense has scored goals in 5 of the last 7 away matches
Estudiantes overcame all opponents in the last six matches for the Copa Libertadores at home. They won all six games, while scoring 13 and conceding 1 goal.
Athletico Paranaense didn’t get a single victory away from home in their last six games in the Copa Libertadores, but they managed to draw 2, while they suffered 4 defeats. They conceded 11 and scored 3 goals.
Estudiantes have won all three points 5 times in their last 10 home matches in all tournaments while also drawing 3 times on that path. They suffered defeat on 2 occasions in these games. Athletico Paranaense won 5 of their last 10 matches, while they drew 3 and lost 2 in this series. Estudiantes were ready from the start, scoring the first goal no less than 8 times in the last 10 matches playing at home. The visitors scored the first goal of the game in 2 of the last 10 games away from home.
