Penarol head into their second to last group fixture of the 2022 Copa Libertadores needing a win against Cerro Porteno on Tuesday at Estadio Campeon del Siglo to have any hope of advancing into the last 16.

The Uruguayans have been shut out in their previous two group game, currently sitting dead-last with three points, while a victory for El Ciclon could assure their place in the knockout stage should the other Group G result go their way.

Match preview

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It is do or die for Mauricio Larriera and his team, who have not made it to the knockout phase of the Libertadores since their run to the final in 2011.

Decano have been close to making it to the Round of 16 multiples times in recent seasons, finishing a point short of the top two in 2018 and 2020 while missing out on advancing in 2019 due to an inferior goal difference.

Named the top club in South America in the 20th century back in 2009, they have failed to create many opportunities in recent fixtures.

Penarol failed to fire a single effort on target in a 1-0 defeat to Olimpia on matchday four, scoring a goal or fewer in six straight matches in all competitions.

However, they have looked sharp when playing in front of their fans in Montevideo, unbeaten there in five consecutive games in all competitions, collecting two clean sheets over that stretch.

While not the most dynamic of teams, Manyas, like a lot of Uruguayan squads, are rugged defensively and do not allow much space in the middle of the field.

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Heading into their final two encounters, El Azulgrana are positioned to potentially qualify for the knockout phase for the fourth time in five seasons.

Their manager Francisco Arce knows a thing or two about this competition, having won it twice as a player in 1995 and 1999, and his tactical approach has worked wonders for the Paraguayans.

Over the past nine years, they have only suffered one home defeat in the group phase of this tournament, conceding a mere three goals at Asuncion since 2019.

Currently second in their domestic league, this team had a shot to put themselves in an even better position to qualify for the next round before dropping a 2-1 decision to Colon earlier this month in a game where they only managed to fire one shot on target.

El Ciclon have a calmness about them when they play the ball out from the back and are rarely caught on the counter, as their midfielders do an excellent job of covering the spaces out wide.

Team News

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Penarol have not scored a goal in this tournament since the second match, with their only three tallies coming courtesy of Pablo Ceppelini, Federico Carrizo and Juan Ramos, with Ruben Bentancourt collecting two assists.

Larriera inserted two new faces into the starting 11 against Olimpia, as Juan Ramos and Bentancourt replaced Matias Aguirregaray and Augustin Alvarez Wallace, who started in their 2-0 defeat to Club del Pueblo in late April.

Robert Morales leads Cerro Porteno in goals domestically this season with eight, though he has yet to find the mark in this competition, with Fernando Romero netting twice to lead the way, while Jean has maintained two clean sheets in four matches between the sticks, stopping all three of the shots that he faced versus Penarol.

Angel Cardozo Lucena scored the only goal in that triumph as he is one of only four players to find that back of the net for them so far, with the other goals coming from Alberto Espinola and Marcelo Moreno.

Penarol possible starting lineup:
Dawson; Ramos, Elizalde, Menosse, Arias; Gargano, Musto; Ceppelini, Carrizo, Laquintana; Bentancourt

Cerro Porteno possible starting lineup:
Jean; Rodriguez, Durate, Riveros, Patino, Delvalle; Aquino, Da Motta, Lucena, Romero; Moreno

We say: Penarol 0-1 Cerro Porteno

It should be a fascinating tactical chess match between a pair of sides who know how to defend effectively, though we are giving the edge to the Paraguayans, who have shown a little more commitment and consistency behind the ball.

Written by
Joel Lefevre

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