The Brazilian América Mineiro, who this Wednesday will face Guaraní in the return match for the second phase of the Copa Libertadores, traveled to Asunción this Monday with two reinforcements in their delegation and confident of overcoming the 0-1 defeat suffered last week spent at home
Argentine defender Germán Conti and midfielder Alé, who missed the first leg, joined the América delegation that embarked on Monday afternoon at the Belo Horizonte airport for the Paraguayan capital.
Conti had to serve last Wednesday a suspension date that was imposed on him last year in a Copa Sudamericana match, when he was still playing in the ranks of the Brazilian Bahia, but he is free to play Wednesday’s game.
The Argentine will be able to resume his place as a starter in the pair of defenders from América, which last week was made up of Iago Maidana and Éder.
Alé, for his part, has already completed the quarantine that was imposed on him after testing positive for covid and his last test was negative, for which he was also released by the medical department, traveled to Asunción and can return to the title.
In the event that coach Marquinhos Santos considers that the midfielder is not physically fit to return to the starting line-up, his position may once again be taken over by Juan Pablo “Indio” Ramírez or by center forward Matheusinho, who held that position in the second half of the first leg.
In the latter case, the third striker, along with Felipe Azevedo and Wellington Paulista, would be Everaldo or Pedrinho.
After the defeat at home, América needs to win by two goals difference away from home to advance to the third phase of the Libertadores. In case of victory of the Brazilian team by one goal, the classification will be defined on penalties.
Despite being at a disadvantage, the team is confident of a victory in what they consider to be the most important match in their 109-year history, as it was their first participation in a Libertadores.
“We are confident. We work a lot all week. Last Wednesday we had a good performance but a bad result. We know that it will be a different game and we are confident in the victory to reach an important classification for America”, said midfielder Lucas Kal before boarding.
The possible alignment of America against Guarani is as follows: Jailson; Patric, Éder, Germán Conti (or Iago Maidana, Marlon; Lucas Kal, Juninho, Juan Pablo Ramírez (or Alé or Matheusinho); Matheusinho (or Everaldo or Pedrinho); Felipe Azevedo and Wéllington Paulista.
