Atletico Mineiro (Brazil) vs Emelec (Ecuador)
Atletico Mineiro had to settle for a 1-1 away draw at Emelec last Tuesday as Hulk missed a penalty in the 88th minute. Therefore, the team need to win at home in order to avoid the penalty shootout. On Saturday, coach Antonio Mohamed fielded a rotated XI and his team won 2-1 away at EC Juventude to make it eight competitive games unbeaten (five victories and three draws). Speaking of the league, O Galo are third-placed on 27 points after 15 matches, trailing leaders Palmeiras by two. At home, Atletico are on five without defeat, winning four and drawing one since losing to Deportes Tolima 2-1 in May.
Meanwhile, Emelec fans will have felt relieved after their 1-1 home draw against Atletico Mineiro last Tuesday. The team travel to Brazil in the context of an even tie. Considering that the Ecuadorian league will resume this weekend, Ismael Rescalvo’s men managed a single victory across their last seven competitive matches, drawing three and losing three in that spell. On away turf, Emelec haven’t claimed any victories in their last four games, drawing two and losing two since beating Deportivo Tachira on May 3rd.
Last week’s 1st leg was a very open game that didn’t end with more goals only because both teams missed many chances including a penalty in the last minute, and I expect the same here.