The Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil is set to host an intriguing Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 first leg tie between Athletico Paranaense and Belgrano on Thursday, August 15th. Both sides will be eager to gain an advantage heading into the return fixture next week.
Match Preview
Athletico Paranaense, two-time Copa Sudamericana champions, enter this contest after a hard-fought victory over Cerro Porteño in the previous round. The Brazilian outfit secured a 3-2 aggregate win, demonstrating their resilience and experience in continental competitions.
Belgrano, on the other hand, earned direct qualification to the Round of 16 by topping their group. The Argentine side went unbeaten in their group stage campaign, showcasing their potential to cause an upset.
Projected Lineups and Formation
Athletico Paranaense (4-2-3-1): Bento; Khellven, Pedro Henrique, Thiago Heleno, Abner; Erick, Fernandinho; Vitinho, Vitor Bueno, Canobbio; Pablo
Manager Martin Varini is likely to stick with the formation that has brought success in recent matches. The experienced Fernandinho will be crucial in controlling the midfield tempo.
Belgrano (4-4-2): Losada; Barinaga, Meriano, Lema, Ibacache; Zapelli, Longo, Quignon, Pasquini; Vegetti, Compagnucci
Juan Cruz Real’s side is expected to maintain their preferred 4-4-2 system, with the strike partnership of Vegetti and Compagnucci leading the line.
Injury Concerns
Athletico Paranaense have a relatively clean bill of health, with no major injury concerns reported. This gives Varini a full squad to choose from for this crucial encounter.
Belgrano, however, are dealing with several injury issues. Lucas Passerini and Ulises Sanchez are long-term absentees due to cruciate ligament injuries. Additionally, Rafael Delgado, Bryan Reyna, and goalkeeper Matias Daniele are sidelined, potentially impacting the team’s depth.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch the action live on beIN Sports Xtra in select regions. Check your local listings for precise broadcast information.
Form Guide and Statistics
Athletico Paranaense’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent. In their last six matches across all competitions, they’ve won three, drawn two, and lost one. Their home form, however, remains strong.
Belgrano come into this match unbeaten in their last three outings, with one win and two draws. Their away record in the Copa Sudamericana group stage was impressive, with two wins and a draw.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first-ever meeting between Athletico Paranaense and Belgrano, adding an element of unpredictability to the encounter.
Standings
In their respective domestic leagues:
- Athletico Paranaense currently sit 8th in the Brasileirão with 29 points from 20 matches.
- Belgrano are positioned 8th in the Argentine Primera División, accumulating 16 points from 10 games.
Prediction
Given Athletico Paranaense’s home advantage and continental pedigree, they enter as slight favorites. However, Belgrano’s unbeaten away record in the competition suggests they won’t be pushovers.
A tight contest is expected, with Athletico Paranaense potentially edging it by a narrow margin. A 1-1 draw is a plausible outcome, leaving everything to play for in the second leg.
Key Players to Watch
For Athletico Paranaense, keep an eye on Gonzalo Mastriani, who has been in fine goalscoring form in the competition. Belgrano will look to the creative influence of Bruno Zapelli to unlock the home team’s defense.
This Copa Sudamericana clash promises to be an enthralling encounter between two sides with contrasting styles but similar ambitions. The stage is set for an exciting night of South American football.
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