Atlético-MG starts final battle with Milionarios targeting Libertadores groups

Atlético-MG starts this Wednesday the third and final stage of the preliminary phase of the Copa Libertadores in search of the passport to appear in the groups. After eliminating Carabobo-VEN, the Minas Gerais team faces Millonarios, this Wednesday, for the first leg. The match will be played at the El Campín stadium, in Bogotá, Colombia, at 21:30 (Brasília time). The return game is scheduled for March 15, at Mineirão.

Atlético-MG eliminated the Venezuelans from Carabobo by the aggregate score of 3 to 1, won at home, since in the first leg, the Brazilian team was in a goalless draw. Meanwhile, Millonarios also made the home factor prevail in the second phase against Universidad Católica-EQU. After a goalless draw in Ecuador, they beat their opponents 2-1 at El Campín.

Last weekend, coach Eduardo Coudet spared several players in the final game of the Mineiro Championship qualifying phase (3-0 against Democrata de Governador Valadares). Among them, striker Hulk, who is confirmed for this decisive duel in Colombia.

Coudet will have one more casualty. In addition to Pavón, suspended by Conmebol, he lost striker Zaracho. The player is mourning the death of his brother-in-law and has been released to continue with his family.

The doubt for the confrontation is to know who will be the holder on the right side. Experienced, Mariano played among the reserves at the weekend for Mineiro and could win Saravia’s vacancy. Alan Kardec, Guilherme Arana, Bruno Fuchs and Igor Rabelo remain in the medical department.

“We know that playing away from home is always difficult, no matter where you go. It will certainly be a difficult game against Millonarios”, said midfielder Pedrinho.

Millonarios also rested most of their starters for the weekend’s round of the Colombian Championship. Even with the reserves, they beat Deportivo Cali 2-0 and are in seventh place, with nine points, four behind the leader and with four games in hand.

With that, the tendency is for coach Alberto Gamero to repeat the lineup of clashes against Universidad. “Brazilian teams are used to winning the Copa Libertadores. We’re going to play the game here and the idea is to win right away”, said the coach.