Jardim faces five absences as Flamengo visit Cusco in Libertadores opener | OneFootball

Defending champions Flamengo begin their Libertadores defence on Wednesday at 21:30 Brasília time against Cusco FC, at 3,350 metres above sea level. Head coach Leonardo Jardim has five absentees.

According to Globo.com, he must change the side that beat Santos 3-1 after Jorginho sustained a left calf muscle problem. Pulgar is out with a right shoulder acromioclavicular injury, Everton Cebolinha has a fractured rib, Alex Sandro a right hamstring issue, and Saúl is recovering from surgery on his left heel.

The likely XI is: Rossi; Varela, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz and Ayrton Lucas or Danilo; Evertton Araújo, Paquetá and Arrascaeta; Carrascal, Pedro and Lino.

There is some relief as De la Cruz has travelled. The Uruguayan has been assessed after reporting previous altitude discomfort, and he does not have a condition that prevents him from playing in such venues. Flamengo will use hotel pressurised rooms to help mitigate the effects.

The tie takes place at Estádio Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. Group A is completed by Independiente Medellín of Colombia and Estudiantes of Argentina.

Source: Globo.com