Palmeiras line-up: Gustavo Gómez trains as normal, should start

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Nosso Palestra

·11 August 2026

Palmeiras line-up: Gustavo Gómez trains as normal, should start

Palmeiras wrapped up preparations on Tuesday afternoon (11) at the Football Academy for the clash against Cerro Porteño-PAR, scheduled for Wednesday (12) at 7:00 p.m. at Nubank Parque, in the first leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16.

In the final training session before the match, the squad worked on build-up play, crosses, finishing, and tactical aspects. The session ended with a light-hearted game.

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In physical transition, center-back Gustavo Gómez took part normally in the entire session with the rest of the group. Bruno Fuchs, also in the transition process, worked separately on the field with the ball under the supervision of the fitness staff. Right-back Khellven and forward Paulinho carried out activities on the pitch with the physiotherapy team from the Health and Performance Center.

Arias speaks!

After training, forward Jhon Arias looked ahead to Palmeiras’ first knockout match in the continental tournament and highlighted the importance of the fans’ support at Nubank Parque.

The Libertadores is one of our main goals this season, and tomorrow, in front of our fans, we begin this Round of 16 knockout tie. Cerro Porteño are a tough opponent, one we know and faced in the group stage, but we are prepared to go after an advantage. It is important to get back to winning here at home, a place where we are very strong, and I have no doubt that tomorrow the fans will be there doing their part.

The Colombian also called on the fans to be present and support the team throughout the 90 minutes.

It is a request, an invitation for all of us to be together at the stadium tomorrow, striving for the same goal. We all want to see Palmeiras win, Palmeiras become champions. So tomorrow we need everyone, everyone’s energy. Cheer for us because we will do everything possible to come away with a victory tomorrow.

Arias has made 31 appearances and scored eight goals for Palmeiras since joining the club.

Historic Libertadores showdown

Palmeiras and Cerro Porteño are involved in the most-played international matchup in Libertadores history, with 18 meetings. The record favors the Brazilian side, which has won ten matches, drawn five, and lost three.

The meetings took place in the group stages of the 1999, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2023, 2025, and 2026 editions, as well as in the Round of 16 in 2018 and 2022 — both of which saw Palmeiras advance.

With this new meeting on Wednesday, the matchup will become the fourth most-played in the history of the competition, surpassing Independiente-ARG vs River Plate-ARG, which had 19 matches, and trailing only Peñarol-URU vs Nacional-URU, Olimpia-PAR vs Cerro Porteño-PAR, and Boca Juniors-ARG vs River Plate-ARG.

Arias speaks about the earthquake in Colombia

In addition to football, Jhon Arias also spoke about the earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday (10). A native of Chocó, one of the hardest-hit regions, the player mobilized resources to help the victims of the tragedy.

The forward chartered a plane with healthcare professionals and medical supplies to help the affected population. Through his foundation and with the help of family members, he also provided accounts to receive donations. Palmeiras reinforced the initiative on social media.

Today my message is clear: solidarity and support for my homeland, Colombia. These have been difficult hours and days, filled with anguish, fear, and suffering. Clearly, from my position, I have done everything within my reach to be present even from afar, with actions that show that my heart is there with them because they are my family, my country, my homeland.

Arias also highlighted Colombians’ ability to come together in the face of the tragedy.

We, as Colombians, have this ability to unite, to overcome, so my message is one of unity, of believing strongly in God, of having faith that things will get better. From here I send this embrace. Their suffering is also my suffering, the suffering of my family, but I have made everything I have available to help, so that they do not feel alone and know that they can find this refuge in us.

Finally, the player thanked Palmeiras and the Brazilian people for the support he has received.

I also thank the Palmeiras Family, which has shown support on social media, and the Brazilian people as well. We have very similar cultures and we have been helping each other through this pain. It is an open message of gratitude, and hopefully things improve as quickly as possible.

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