Khellven starts as Abel names Palmeiras XI for River Plate clash | OneFootball

Palmeiras and River Plate are lined up for the return match of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, which takes place this Wednesday. The ball rolls from 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Allianz Parque.

Coach Abel Ferreira lined up the same team that beat River in the first leg, by 2 to 1. Khellven, recovered from a foot trauma, returns to the starting lineup. The number 12 had been absent from Verdão's game against Fortaleza over the weekend.

Palmeiras Lineup

The Palmeiras lineup, therefore, is: Weverton; Khellven, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo and Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Lucas Evangelista, Andreas Pereira and Felipe Anderson; Flaco López and Vitor Roque.

The only absentee is striker Paulinho, who is recovering from a surgery on his right leg and is only expected to return to the pitch in 2026.

River Plate Lineup

On the other side, River Plate also has a change in the team. Coach Marcelo Gallardo does not count on Driussi, who felt pain in the first decision against Palmeiras. On the other hand, midfielder Giuliano Galoppo returns to the options and starts among the starters. The former São Paulo player served a suspension in the first leg.

Therefore, the River Plate lineup is: Armani; Martínez Quarta, Juan Portillo, Lautaro Rivero and Gonzalo Montiel; Kevin Castaño, Acuña, Ignacio Fernández and Giuliano Galoppo; Juanfer Quintero and Maximiliano Salas.

Situation of the confrontation

With the advantage of 2 to 1 in the first game, Palmeiras plays for a draw to secure a spot in the Libertadores semifinals. A loss by one goal difference takes the decision to penalties. While an Argentine victory by two goals or more difference eliminates Verdão.

Whoever advances, faces the winner of LDU x São Paulo, who face each other this Thursday, at Morumbis. In the first leg, the Ecuadorian team won by 2 to 0.

Refereeing of Palmeiras x River Plate

Referee: Andres Matonte (URU) Assistants: Nicolas Taran and Andres Nievas (URU) VAR: Christian Ferreyra (URU)

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