Flamengo set to finish Medellin for Libertadores round 16

Flamengo dey travel to Colombia on Friday with one mission: secure their place for Copa Libertadores round of 16. The Rio side dey top Group A with seven points, and if dem win against Independiente Medellin for Atanasio Girardot, e go almost guarantee dem qualification.

But Flamengo no get smooth journey. Last time out, dem draw 1–1 with Estudiantes for Argentina, their first slip for group stage. Still, dem remain strong. Medellin, on the other hand, dey struggle for domestic campaign. Dem lose 2–1 to Aguilas Doradas on Sunday, wey finish dem for Torneo Apertura first phase. Dem finish 11th, two points behind Inter de Bogota.

For that match against Aguilas, Medellin get 70% possession and 20 shots, but dem no fit score well. Jorge Rivaldo and Nicolas Lara score for Aguilas, while Diego Moreno pull one back for Medellin deep inside stoppage time. Fans for Atanasio Girardot protest against club owner Raul Giraldo Gomez after match. Gomez get into heated exchange on pitch before players hold am. He later apologize for social media.

Now, Medellin dey hope for positive result against Flamengo to keep dem for contention. Dem get four points from three games. Flamengo, meanwhile, get 27 points for Brasileiro, second for table, six points behind Palmeiras. Dem draw 2–2 against Vasco da Gama for Classico dos Milhoes first leg. Pedro and Jorginho score for Flamengo, but Hugo Moura and Robert Renan equalize for Vasco for final 13 minutes.

That draw come after another 1–1 draw away to Estudiantes, where Uruguayan number 10 Arrascaeta get shoulder injury. He no go play again before World Cup break. Flamengo coach Leonardo Jardim want secure early qualification as one of his main objectives for first months for charge. This go be Flamengo 31st fixture of season and 17th away.

For injuries, Medellin miss Leider Berrio with knee fracture since February. Sebastian Botero fit name same side wey beat Cusco for last round. Chaverra and Fydriszewski dey main threat for Medellin attack. Flamengo miss three midfielders: Arrascaeta (shoulder), Paqueta, and Pulgar, all with medical team. But Carrascal return after suspension and go start for midfield. Wallace Yann no dey travel because coaching staff leave am out.

Flamengo squad wey travel include Alex Sandro, Andrew, Ayrton Lucas, Bruno Henrique, Carrascal, Danilo, De La Cruz, Dyogo Alves, Royal, Cebolinha, Evertton Araújo, Varela, Jorginho, Luiz Araújo, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, Luiz Felipe, Pedro, Plata, Rossi, Lino, Saúl and Vitão. The delegation go travel on Tuesday, and Jardim go finish preparations on Wednesday for Atlético Nacional training centre.

Medellin go play with 4-3-3 formation: Eder Chaux for goal, Leyser Chaverra, Jose Ortiz, Daniel Londono, Esneyder Mena for defense, Didier Moreno, Halam Loboa, Alexis Serna for midfield, Yony Gonzalez, Francisco Fydriszewski, Frank Fabra for attack. Flamengo go use 4-2-3-1: Agustin Rossi for goal, Emerson Royal, Danilo, Leo Pereira, Alex Sandro for defense, Evertton Araujo, Jorginho for midfield, Luiz Araujo, Jorge Carrascal, Samuel Dias Lino for attack, Bruno Henrique for striker.

Even without key players, Flamengo dey clear favourites. Dem win first meeting 4–1 and Medellin dey struggle for group. The match go play for Estádio El Atanasio on Thursday, kick-off 21:30 Brasília time. Live coverage dey for ESPN and Disney+ Premium. After this match, Flamengo no go return to Rio. Dem go train for Internacional centre on Friday and Saturday, before face Grêmio on Sunday for Brasileirão.