Palmeiras step up for Cerro Porteño second leg as Khellven returns, Paulinho trains apart | OneFootball

According to Nosso Palestra, Palmeiras trained on Monday afternoon at the Academia de Futebol as they continued preparations for Wednesday’s CONMEBOL Libertadores last-16 second leg at Cerro Porteño, 19:00 at Estádio Nueva Olla in Asunción.

The tie is level after a 1-1 first leg at Nubank Parque. Palmeiras need a win to reach the quarter-finals, another draw would take it to penalties.

The session featured technical work on passing and marking plus small-sided games. Right-back Khellven has recovered from a right thigh injury and trained fully, so is available. Forward Paulinho remains in recovery and worked separately with the health and performance unit.

Mauricio, who scored in Saturday’s league win over Fluminense, said Cerro are a high-quality side they have already faced three times this season. He stressed the need to stay alert to how they defend in a line with man marking and to impose Palmeiras’ game.

He also accepted the current pressure, noting Palmeiras are winless in four, and said the team must treat Wednesday as a final to chase victory and qualification.

Beyond the tie, Palmeiras could record their 150th Libertadores win. The match will also be their 350th against foreign opponents away from Brazil, with the club currently on 188 wins, 79 draws and 82 defeats in 349 games.

Source: Nosso Palestra

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