Palmeiras tweak defence before decisive LDU trip, clean sheet would seal semi-final spot | OneFootball

Palmeiras will reshape their back line for Wednesday’s Conmebol Libertadores trip to LDU in Quito. A draw at altitude would take them into the semi-finals, and a clean sheet would also be enough.

According to Globo.com, captain Gustavo Gómez travelled with the squad but is suspended, and Murilo, Barboza and Bruno Fuchs are expected to form a back three.

Since the World Cup pause, Palmeiras have repeated their defence only twice in 16 matches. It happened between Internacional and Cerro Porteño, when Emiliano Martínez, Barboza and Murilo started, and between Mirassol and Santos, with Gómez and Murilo.

Abel Ferreira has alternated between two and three centre-backs, though most often he has used a trio shielding goalkeeper Carlos Miguel.

Palmeiras won the first leg 1-0 at Nubank Parque. They are on a run of four games without conceding: Santos 0-0 in the Copa do Brasil, Botafogo 0-0 in the Brasileirão, LDU 1-0 in the Libertadores and São Paulo 2-0 in the Brasileirão.

The squad will complete preparations in the Ecuadorian capital on Tuesday before the match, which kicks off at 19:00 Brasília time.

Source: Globo.com

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