Last season, in the final of the Copa Libertadores, there was a hot derby between River Plate and Boca Juniors, the arch-rivals from Buenos Aires. After scores of scandals surrounding the final, River Plate secured the club’s fourth Copa Libertadores title in Madrid. In this season, the “Los Millonarios” want to defend their title from last year and are in the second round before the first real hurdle. With Cruzeiro caught River Plate a very tough opponent and will have to arrive against the defensive stronghold of the Brazilians.
The guests from Cruzeiro will complete their third competitive match in seven days against River Plate within seven days. In the blazing schedule of the Brazilians, it was clear that Coach Menezes sent a mixture of second guard and tribe on the field last weekend. The point win the Brazilians have taken according to the currently miserable table situation still like. River Plate will play the home advantage against Cruzeiro. A prognosis on the home side can be dared in this case quite, especially since the Brazilians were not convincingly on foreign terrain. During the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, the first knockout round match between River Plate and Cruzeiro can be watched live from 23:15 (CET) at the DAZN streaming service.
River Plate:
For River Plate the season on international stage was not really bad. The defending champion has fought his way into the final round of the South American premier class with a score of 2-4-0. The strong performance on the international stage, however, could not really reflect the “Los Millonarios” at the national level, as the recent cup match against Gimnasia Mendoza proved. River Plate made it to the penalty shoot-out and managed to narrowly beat the second division side.
The Argentine record champions did not really come up with a second guard. However, the second-division side demanded everything from the guests from Buenos Aires and even had the chance to take the lead in the meantime. In the end, the penalty shootout should be over. Last season River Plate took in the Argentine Super League only fourth place behind arch rivals Boca Juniors. River Plate has lost only one of the last twelve home games across the board and is confident in the match against Cruzeiro. Recopa Sudamericana, the South American counterpart to the UEFA Super Cup, saw the Los Millonarios beat Athletico Paranaense and celebrate their first title win this calendar year.
Just a week before the start of the season in the Argentine Superleague River Plate will have to renounce four players due to injury. Juan Quintero and Lucas Pratto are circulating their injuries, while Enzo Perez and Ignacio Scocco are also unlikely to be available. Striker Borre is missing. However, the Los Millonarios still have enough offensive power. Technically savvy players like Exequiel Palacios and Cristian Ferreira are pivotal in the midfield of the Argentines, as well as the youngster Julian Alvarez by storm. Coach Marcelo Gallardo does not want to build on the second leg, but to make everything clear in the first leg.
Cruzeiro:
After a rather unspectacular last season, Cruzeiro has secured the start right for the South American premier class with the Copa do Brasil title. The “Raposa” has done well in the Copa Libertadores and was able to solve the ticket for the finals as a group winner. In the second round Cruzeiro caught River Plate but a very difficult lot. The Brazilians have spared the forces after the burdensome schedule at the weekend – and that, although the “Raposa” at league level actually points desperately needed.
The importance of the knockout game against River Plate is immense. With a good starting position Cruzeiro wants to move home in the second leg to the quarterfinals. The team of Mano Menezes defended the 3-0 win in the first leg last week in the Copa do Brasil against Atletico Mineiro despite a mixed performance. The 0: 2 defeat against archrival was thus to cope. Whether it will work with the title defense in the Brazilian Cup competition, in the next few weeks.
Only two of the last 13 competitive games (cross-competition) could win Cruzeiro. Most recently, the “Raposa” remained three games without a win and scored no single goal. The squad of Cruzeiro is in contrast to the competition but manageable, with veteran stars such as Fred, Neves or Henrique, the team still harmonizes well together. A crucial point in the team of Menzes is certainly the defensive strength. Cruzeiro has conceded only two or more goals in seven matches in the 37 competitive games this calendar year. If a lucky punch against River Plate succeeds and the defensive stability is maintained, the “Raposa” would take a big step towards the quarter-finals. Even a point win the Brazilians will be rewarded at River Plate against Cruzeiro with lucrative quotas.
PREDICTION: River Plate to win @ 1,71
