River Plate saved a point thanks to a goal from Paulo Diaz in the 90th minute to make it 1-1 away at Athletico Paranaense and will advance in the event of winning or drawing 0-0 at Independiente on Tuesday. Last Saturday, Marcelo Gallardo’s men managed a 2-0 away success at Rosario Central with an alternative XI, which allowed them to clinch a ticket to the Fase Campeonato, having accumulated 12 points in five games. El Millonario is on five matches unbeaten in all competitions (four wins and one draw). Playing as hosts at Independiente, River registered three victories and one loss since football returned in South America.
Athletico Paranaense will need to score at least once if they want to advance to the quarter-finals following that 1-1 home draw against River Plate last week. On Saturday, the team lost 3-0 to Palmeiras away, which stopped a five-game unbeaten streak of four victories and one draw. The team are occupying 11th spot in the Brazilian league on 28 points in 23 matches. Athletico Paranaense lost six of their last nine away matches, along with two victories and one draw.
Still too many missings for Atletico Paranaense, they were very lucky not to lose last week and I think River Plate will have enough to easily win this game and go forward in the competition.