Palmeiras - Junior: Abel Ferreira targets round of 16 in Allianz Parque
palmeiras - junior arrived at Allianz Parque with the same pressure on both benches and a clear edge for the hosts. Palmeiras needed a win to seal a place in the Copa Libertadores round of 16, while Junior Barranquilla needed points to stay alive for third place in Group F and the South American playoff route.
Abel Ferreira Keeps His Core
Abel Ferreira was expected to lean on much of the side that beat Flamengo at the Maracanã. Emiliano Martínez was set to stay as the holding midfielder, with Andreas Pereira moving into a more advanced role and Carlos Miguel behind a back line of Giay, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo and Arthur.
That shape gave Palmeiras the same spine it has used to control matches with possession and shot volume. The team entered the night among the competition leaders in both areas, while also carrying a stronger defensive record and more clear chances than Junior.
Junior Barranquilla Chases Third
Alfredo Arias was expected to use his strongest lineup despite the proximity of the Colombian championship final. Mauro Silveira started in goal, with Herrera, Pestaña, Rivera and Suárez across the back, and Muriel leading the attack from a front line that also included Canchimbo, Chara and Kevin Pérez.
Junior had a narrower path. It had not scored away goals in this Libertadores edition, and its away form worsened once it fell behind, with only 13% of those matches won on the road. Palmeiras, by contrast, had won 96% of its home matches after scoring first at Allianz Parque.
Absences Shape Both Sides
Palmeiras still had to work around Piquerez, Vitor Roque, Bruno Fuchs and Benedetti being unavailable, even as Ramón Sosa returned to partial training after an ankle injury. Junior also lost options, with Navia and Celis out because of physical problems, although Monzón came back from injury and was available again.
The other group match, Cerro Porteño against Sporting Cristal, sat in the background as Palmeiras tried to settle its own place in the bracket. For Junior, the match was less about control than survival: taking three points would move it into third and keep the South American playoff path open.
