Flamengo v Cruzeiro, likely line-ups for today's Libertadores? | OneFootball

Flamengo and Cruzeiro face off starting at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) this Wednesday (12)

After nearly 80 days of waiting, Flamengo will finally take the field again in the Libertadores. This Wednesday (12), Mengão visits Cruzeiro at Mineirão starting at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) for the first leg of the round of 16. For the clash, coaches Leonardo Jardim and Artur Jorge are keeping their lineups under wraps, but Coluna do Fla brings the likely starting XIs.

WHAT ARE THE LIKELY LINEUPS FOR FLAMENGO AND CRUZEIRO?

Rossi, Varela, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira and Ayrton Lucas; Pulgar, Jorginho and Arrascaeta; Carrascal (Plata), Samuel Lino and Pedro.

Alex Sandro is dealing with tendinitis in his right calf and will therefore be unavailable for the red-and-black side this Wednesday (12). As a result, Ayrton Lucas is expected to start at left back.

Luiz Araújo is recovering from a left knee injury and has begun his transition back to the pitch. However, the lack of enough on-field training kept the forward from being available to Leonardo Jardim.

Vitão and Everton Cebolinha complete the list of absences. While the center back is being treated for an injury to his left thigh, the forward is recovering from flu-like symptoms.

In addition to the absences, the coach has doubts about the right wing and is considering three alternatives for the role. The lineup could keep Carrascal as a starter, bring Plata back after recovering from tendinitis, or use Paquetá in the position.

Otávio; William, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesus and Gabriel Rojas; Matheus Henrique, Gerson and Matheus Pereira; Arroyo, Kaique Kenji (Wesley) and Kaio Jorge.

Suspensions rule Fagner and Lucas Romero out of the first leg of the Libertadores round of 16, so Artur Jorge loses two starters for the match against Flamengo. As such, William should start at right back, while Matheus Henrique is set to be part of midfield despite suffering a facial fracture seven days ago.

New signings are available to the coaching staff, so Wesley appears as an option for the left wing in attack. However, Wesley’s recent preseason period in Saudi Arabia works against him, giving Kaique Kenji the edge in the battle for the spot.

HOW DID THE TEAMS PERFORM IN THE GROUP STAGE?

As the reigning Libertadores champion, Flamengo had an excellent group-stage campaign and finished top of Group A unbeaten with sixteen points out of a possible eighteen. In the process, Rubro-Negro recorded five wins and one draw, scoring 14 goals and conceding only two. As a result, Mengão posted the best overall record of the first phase.

On the other hand, Cruzeiro finished the Libertadores group stage in second place in Group D, with 11 points from six matches. Overall, they picked up three wins, two draws, and suffered one defeat.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

“Leonardo Jardim needs not only to repeat the lineup, but also the performance from the last match for Flamengo to get past Cruzeiro at Mineirão. Although a Libertadores knockout match away from home demands a completely different intensity from playing at the Maracanã, the red-and-black team has enough weapons to neutralize the strength of the Minas Gerais side on its own ground.

Playing with maximum concentration, applying pressure immediately after losing possession, keeping the ball, and taking shots whenever possible will not only help contain the opponent, but also secure a valuable advantage for the return leg. Leonardo Jardim has top-class options available in the squad, and the group’s vast experience in the continental tournament is, without a doubt, a factor that could tip the tie,” said Mônica Alves, a Coluna do Fla journalist.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.