Flamengo travels to Medellín this Thursday, at 9:30 pm, to face Independiente Medellín at Estádio Atanasio Girardot, in the fourth round of Grupo F of Conmebol Libertadores. With seven points accumulated, the Rio team can guarantee early classification for the round of 16 with a victory at Colômbia. The broadcast takes place live on ESPN and Disney+.
Leonardo Jardim arrives at the clash with his team on a run of nine games without defeat, but coming off two consecutive draws against Estudiantes and Vasco. The return of Colombian midfielder Carrascal represents the great asset to recover the offensive creation power of the red and black team, which will face important absences in the sector.
Medellín in administrative and technical crisis
Independiente Medellín is going through a turbulent time after the dismissal of coach Alejandro Restrepo. The negative results led to early elimination in the first phase of Torneio Apertura from Campeonato Colombiano. Sebastián Botero, interim coach who worked in the youth teams, now leads the Colombian team.
The instability went beyond the sporting aspect. The club’s largest shareholder, Raúl Giraldo, was removed after direct conflict with organized fans last Sunday. Apesar of administrative chaos, Medellín occupies third position in the bracket with four points. A victory keeps alive hopes of advancing to the next stage of the continental competition.
Desfalques and tactical changes to Flamengo
Leonardo Jardim faces difficulties in creating the ideal midfield. Arrascaeta and Lucas Paquetá are handed over to the medical department, while midfielder Erick Pulgar remains out due to an injury to his right shoulder. The strategy of rotating the squad aims to preserve the physical integrity of the athletes amid the tight schedule.
- Rossi as absolute starting goalkeeper.
- Emerson Royal on the right flank in a new opportunity.
- Danilo improvised in defense alongside Vitão.
- Evertton Araújo replacing Pulgar in defensive protection.
- Carrascal returning to the starting lineup in his homeland.
- Pedro and Bruno Henrique competing for the center forward position.
Luiz Araújo and Everton Cebolinha must act on the wings to provide speed to the attack. The defense will have an alternative formation with Danilo acting centrally. The coach still keeps secret who will start among the attackers in the area.
Escalações probable and important returns
Interim coach Sebastián Botero will count on the fundamental return of midfielder Didier Moreno, recovered from physical problems. The player is the driving force of the Colombian team and returns to being a starter after his absence in the national championship. Independiente Medellín has three confirmed casualties due to injury: Leider Berrio, Kevin Mantilla and De la Rosa.
Flamengo must go to the field with Rossi in goal, defensive line formed by Royal, Danilo, Vitão and Ayrton Lucas, central sector with Evertton Araújo, Jorginho and Carrascal in the frame. In attack, Luiz Araújo and Cebolinha support Pedro or Bruno Henrique. Medellín will field Chaux in goal, Leyser Chaverra, Londoño, José Ortiz and Fabra in defense, Loboa, Didier Moreno, Alexis Serna and Francisco Chaverra in midfield, and Yony González and Fydriszewski in attack.
Arbitragem and prospects for the confrontation
Conmebol selected experienced arbitration trio from Venezuela. Jesus Valenzuela will be the main referee, assisted by assistants Tulio Moreno and Alberto Ponte. VAR will be under the responsibility of Uruguayan Andres Cunha. Valenzuela is known for its technical rigor and for allowing an intense game flow, reinforcing the importance of the match.
Não there are players hanging with yellow cards on neither team. Flamengo is looking to repeat their dominant first round performance to avoid unnecessary pressure in the final rounds. Independiente Medellín tries to transform the climate of protest into motivation to seek the three points. The confrontation promises to be tactical, with the Brazilian team trying to control ball possession in the opponent’s field.
