The opening fixtures in the 2024 Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals conclude on Thursday, with Athletico Paranaense hosting Racing Club at Arena de Baixada.
In the previous round of this tournament, the Brazilians eliminated Belgrano 4-1 on aggregate, while El Primer Grande had no trouble with Huachipato, eliminating them by an aggregate score of 8-1.
Match preview
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El Paranaense have recovered nicely from their poor form down the stretch of the Sudamericana group stage, going unbeaten in their four knockout fixtures after losing their last two group games.
Over the past two Sudamericana campaigns, not counting this one, they have only lost one knockout match, 1-0 versus LDU Quito in the opening leg of that quarter-final tie but advancing 4-3 on aggregate and eventually lifting the trophy later that year for a second time.
Their only defeats in this year's competition took place at Arena de Baixada, though they won their subsequent two knockout matches at home in this tournament by a 2-1 margin both times.
Martin Varini has only claimed one victory in the Brazilian top flight since taking charge in early July, though he has yet to lose a Sudamericana fixture as manager of this team.
Four times in the 2024 Sudamericana, Furacao have conceded the opening goal, managing to win only once when doing so, in the second leg of their knockout round playoff with Cerro Porteno (2-1).
They have never lost a home fixture versus Argentine opposition, winning two of those three meetings, including a 2-1 victory over Belgrano in the opening leg of their round of 16 tie earlier this year.
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Coming into their return leg with a two-goal cushion, Racing Club left absolutely no doubt, claiming a thumping 6-1 triumph in Argentina back in August.
As a result, they are in the quarter-finals of this tournament for the first time since 2017, when they were eliminated by Libertad 4-1 on aggregate.
Gustavo Costas's men have won three of their four Sudamericana away matches this year but have only claimed victory in two of their previous six encounters as the visitors across all competitions.
In their last four Sudamericana affairs this year, the Argentines have outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 16-1.
So far in this competition, Racing have only been behind in one encounter, losing away to Brazilian side Bragantino in early May (2-1).
La Academia have only claimed three competitive victories versus Brasileiro Serie A opponents in Brazil at this tournament, with the most recent occurring in the 2022 group stage versus Cuiaba (2-1).
Team News
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For this opening fixture, El Paranaense will likely be without Fernandinho and Christian, who are both recovering from muscle injuries, Fernando is expected to miss this match due to a sprained ankle and Lucas Esquivel will be suspended following his red card in the second leg against Belgrano.
Gonzalo Mastriani notched his seventh of the Sudamericana in their previous encounter at this tournament, the second most in the competition this year, with their other goal coming courtesy of Lucas Di Yorio.
Racing could be missing Gabriel Rojas for this encounter because of a broken toe, while Agustin Garcia Basso has a shoulder injury.
Adrian Martinez leads the tournament with eight goals, as he, Baltasar Rodriguez, Marco Di Cesare and Agustin Almendra each scored in their lopsided triumph over Huachipato, with Johan Carbonero netting a brace.
Athletico Paranaense possible starting lineup:
Linck; Rocha, Heleno, Gamarra; Erick, Praxedes; Cuello, Zapelli, Di Yorio, Canobbio; Mastriani
Racing Club possible starting lineup:
Arias; Mura, Di Cesare, Quiros, Martirena; Sosa, Almendra; Rodriguez, Quintero, Carbonero; A. Martinez
We say: Athletico Paranaense 2-1 Racing Club
After such a convincing victory in their previous Copa Sudamericana affair, we believe Racing may be knocked down a peg against El Paranaense, who know what it is like to go deep into a competition like this and should provide much stiffer competition for the Argentines than Huachipato.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
