Palmeiras host Cerro Porteño as rare away-decider looms after five years | OneFootball

Palmeiras host Cerro Porteño in the Libertadores last 16 tonight. The first leg starts at 19:00 Brasília time at Nubank Parque, and it is their first knockout tie in five years to be decided away.

According to Globo.com, nearly 40,000 are expected at Nubank Parque tonight. This tie will be decided away for the first time since 2021, after seasons in which they finished as top seeds in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Cerro topped Group F, with Palmeiras finishing runners-up in the same pool.

The hosts have stuttered at home in the Brasileirão, even as they lead Flamengo by six points with one game more. The context calls for a response in front of their own fans.

In their last five home league matches they have three draws, one defeat and one win. Since the World Cup break they lost 2-1 to Atlético-MG and drew 0-0 with Internacional on Sunday.

Their most recent home victory at Nubank Parque came against Fortaleza, 3-0 in the Copa do Brasil last-16 first leg.

Palmeiras are preparing to face a compact Cerro side, an approach that has troubled them recently. Arias urged supporters to rally, stressing the need to resume winning at home and the shared push for trophies.

The return is next week in Paraguay, where the tie will be settled. The winners will face Mirassol or LDU of Ecuador in the quarter-finals.

Source: Globo.com

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