Teams face each other for the first time in a valid Libertadores match
Fluminense hosts Barcelona de Guayaquil this Thursday, at 9:30 pm (Brasilia time), at Maracanã, for the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores da America final. This is the first time the teams face each other for the tournament. The two teams have been historic four times in history, with three victories for the tricolors and one for the Ecuadorians. Fluminense won in friendly matches in Ecuador in 1950 (6 to 4), 1956 (5 to 1) and 1985 (3 to 0). Barcelona, on the other hand, won the match for Florida Cu, in the US, in 2018, 3-1.
For the soon-to-be match, coach Roger Machado continues without Caio Paulista. Luiz Henrique should get the vacancy after getting rid of discomfort in his right thigh. Recovered from a virus, Gabriel Teixeira also returns to time, and Nino, Olympic champion, returns to the double of defense with Lucas Claro. The main novelty is the entry of Cazares in place of Nenê.
Barcelona arrives packed for the duel at Maracanã. The team comes with five straight victories in the Libertadores and in the local championship. As well as the tricolor, the team also bets on a mix of young players with more experienced ones, with veteran Damián Diaz, aged 35, the main star. Forward Garcés, who was out of the last game due to indisposition, was listed and should stay as an option on the bench. Dário Aimar and Pablo Velasco are injured.
