River Plate (Argentina) vs Atletico Mineiro (Brazil)
River Plate have a mountain to climb on Tuesday after succumbing to a heavy blow at Atletico Mineiro last week, when they lost 3-0. On Friday, coach Marcelo Gallardo fielded an alternative XI and his team drew 0-0 away at Defensa y Justicia. El Millonario made it 27 points in 19 Liga Profesional matches to stay occupying one of the Copa Libertadores’ spots in the aggregate table. However, they are now on five competitive matches without a win, drawing three and losing two. At home, River lost only one of their last 23, with 14 victories and eight stalemates in that spell.
Atletico Mineiro took a big step towards their second Copa Libertadores’ final last Tuesday, when they thrashed River Plate 3-0 at home with Deyverson in superb form. On Saturday, boss Gabriel Milito rested most of his regulars and the team lost 3-1 to SC Internacional at home. That result stopped their six-match unbeaten streak of three victories and three stalemates and left them on ninth spot of the Brasileirao table on 41 points after 30 rounds. Atletico are on five away matches without a win, having drawn two and lost three since beating Gremio FBPA 3-2 in September.
River has to win by at least 3 goals to have a chance at advancing to the final so the match is clear: they need to take risks form the first minute and this will open things up for Atletico’s dangerous counterattacks so I expect an open game here with goals.