Palmeiras line-up: Gómez steps up recovery, could return in Libertadores | OneFootball

Palmeiras returned to training on Monday morning (10) at the Football Academy and began preparations for the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores round of 16. Verdão host Cerro Porteño of Paraguay at 7 p.m. on Wednesday (12) at Nubank Parque, after drawing 0-0 with Internacional on Sunday (09) in the Brazilian Championship.

The players who featured for more than 45 minutes against Inter followed a recovery schedule in the indoor facilities of the training center. The remaining players took part in a technical drill on a reduced-size pitch, with specific objectives set by Abel Ferreira’s coaching staff.

Gustavo Gómez progresses in recovery

The main news from training was Gustavo Gómez. Out of the last three matches due to a right thigh injury, the captain began physical transition work and took part in the first part of the activities with the squad.

The Paraguayan’s return represents significant progress in his recovery process and could increase Abel Ferreira’s options for the decisive stretch of the season.

Bruno Fuchs also returns to the pitch

Another defender who made progress in his recovery was Bruno Fuchs. The center-back underwent appendicitis surgery two weeks ago and returned to grass training on Monday, beginning physical transition work with individualized activities.

Khellven and Paulinho, both being treated for right thigh injuries, carried out physiotherapy exercises both on the pitch and in the indoor facilities of the Football Academy, under the supervision of professionals from the Health and Performance Department.

The most-played fixture in Libertadores history

Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño have faced each other more times than any other international matchup in CONMEBOL Libertadores history. Altogether, the teams have already met 18 times in the competition, with a clear advantage for Palmeiras.

There have been 10 Palmeiras wins, five draws, and only three defeats. The meetings took place in the group stages of 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2023, 2025, and 2026, as well as in the round of 16 in 2018 and 2022 — precisely the two occasions when Verdão advanced to the next round.

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