Palmeiras face decisive Libertadores week with Andreas out, options for his role | OneFootball

Palmeiras begin a pivotal Libertadores week without Andreas Pereira, suspended for Wednesday's round-of-16 second leg at Cerro Porteño in Asunción. They are on a four-match winless run, heightening the stakes. Kick-off is 19:00 Brasília time.

Sent off in the first leg in São Paulo, he serves a one-match ban. According to Globo.com, his absence removes the team's leading provider and a key aerial threat in a tight knockout tie.

Abel Ferreira must find a like-for-like solution amid technical and tactical issues this season. If he sticks with a back three and four in midfield, two candidates emerge, Emiliano Martínez and Lucas Evangelista.

Used in his natural role rather than as an emergency centre-back, Emiliano could shore up the trio behind and free Marlon Freitas to step into attack, something seen less with Andreas on the pitch.

Picking Evangelista would change little in the structure. The number 30 is tidy in possession and has been praised by Abel, although he has largely been a substitute.

Felipe Anderson and Mauricio are also options but are considered outsiders. Both are more attacking, which would leave only Marlon shielding midfield.

Palmeiras trained on Sunday at the Academia de Futebol, with two further sessions scheduled at the training ground before flying to Asunción. With the first leg drawn, the winners progress to the quarter-finals, and another draw would take it to penalties.

Source: Globo.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”