Libertad v Newell’s Old Boys
Group F, CONMEBOL Copa Sudamericana
13th May 2021
🏟️ Estadio Dr. Nicolás Leoz, Asunción
Newell’s Old Boys’ hopes of progressing in the Copa Sudamericana hinge on a win against Paraguayan league leaders Libertad in Asunción on Thursday night.
Palestino, having lost their opening three games, are essentially out of the competition but their 0-0 draw on Tuesday night against the Brazilian side Atlético Goianiense has given Libertad or Newell’s the chance to fight the Dragão at the top for the qualifying place that will be awarded to the winners of the group.
Goianiense currently lead Group F with 8 points, with Libertad on 6 and Newell’s on 4 heading into their game tonight.
In the return fixture in Rosario, played on 29 April, Libertad ran out 3-1 winners over Newell’s but La Lepra deserved more and had a few goals disallowed in a questionable performance by Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich.
Libertad stuttered last week after winning their opening two games, and were beaten by Atlético who have come on leaps and bounds since drawing 0-0 at home with Newell’s in the opening game. They could clinch the Paraguayan championship as early as next Monday if results go their way this weekend domestically.
It feels like a stretch considering the team’s recent results but if Newell’s could somehow manage to progress in the Copa Sudamericana, it would seriously boost confidence in coach Germán Burgos. After a promising start to his reign, Newell’s ended the 2021 Copa de la Liga bottom of Group B having only taken a sole point from the final 3 games.
Libertad v Newell’s Team News
Captain Maxi Rodríguez suffered an injury in the 1-1 draw with Sarmiento at the weekend and will miss the game against Libertad, and likely another two games on top of that. Pablo Pérez will return after a suspension.
Mariano Bíttolo and Nicolás Castro are back in the squad after long absences, as are Mauro Formica and Ignacio Scocco who both missed the Sarmiento game.
Jerónimo Cacciabue, Manuel Capasso, Jonatan Cristaldo, Franco Negri, Braian Rivero, Franco Escobar, Francisco González and Santiago Gentiletti are all on the long-term injury list.
Having rested a number of first-teamers at the weekend in the league, Argentine coach Daniel Garnero will restore the likes of Antonio Bareiro and ex-Newell’s man Leonel Vangioni to the side for the Sudamericana clash.
📺 Watch Libertad v Newell’s on Thursday 13th May: Live on Fanatiz (US Only), BeIN USA, DirecTV and LiveScore app in the UK.
⏰ Kick-off: 21.30 ARG | 01.30 UK
