River Plate vs Fortaleza
Thanks to a goal from Matias Suarez in the second half, River Plate took their first step in the Copa Libertadores by beating Alianza Lima (Peru) 1-0 away from home. On Sunday, coach Marcelo Gallardo rotated most of his regulars, but El Millonario still managed to beat Argentinos Juniors 4-2 at home, which placed them in second spot of the group A table on 19 points, two behind leaders Racing Club. River won eight of their last ten competitive matches (along with one draw and one defeat), including the last three. At home, they won three, drew one and lost one in 2022.
Fortaleza played their first Copa Libertadores’ game in history last Thursday, when they ended up losing to Colo Colo from Chile 2-1 at home. On Sunday, coach Juan Pablo Vojvoda picked an alternative XI that also lost 1-0 at home to Cuiaba EC in the Brazilian league season opener. Before those two losses, the team had lifted the Copa do Nordeste title. On a positive note, O Leao are on seven away matches, having won three and drawn four since December 2021, when they also lost to Cuiaba 1-0.
If Fortaleza had trouble at home against Colo Colo, I can’t imagine how they will hold River, one of the best teams in the continent.