Palmeiras hosts Universitario and plays calmly to confirm qualification for the Libertadores

Feeling confident after thrashing Universitario in the first leg, Palmeiras will face their Peruvian rivals again this Thursday to secure their spot in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. Kick-off at 9:30 PM at Allianz Parque for the second leg of the round of 16.

Having beaten their opponent 4-0 in Lima, Palmeiras can lose by up to three goals and still qualify. Holder of several Libertadores records, the São Paulo team is seeking a spot in the quarterfinals for the 13th time.

Only a catastrophe will eliminate Abel Ferreira's team from the next round, where they will face Libertad or River Plate, who also face each other this Thursday in Argentina.

Abel can afford to rest some starters, given the large lead he built in Peru, and field a mixed lineup. Right-back Khellven could be one of those who earns a starting spot. His starting debut was in the last game, the 1-0 victory over Botafogo.

“All my teammates welcomed me very well and I’m very happy to be able to debut and start this good winning streak,” said the athlete.

Goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, announced on Tuesday, has already trained, but as he is not yet registered for the Libertadores, he will only be able to play from the quarterfinals onwards.

At Allianz Parque, Palmeiras has played 33 knockout matches, qualifying or winning 23 titles, drawing two, and eliminating or finishing runners-up eight times. In the Copa Libertadores, they have played 15 matches, qualifying or winning 12 titles and eliminating three.

Palmeiras have won six of their seven matches against Universitario in the Libertadores and are looking for another victory in this edition of the Libertadores to remain the only team to have won all eight games.

TECHNICAL SHEET

PALMEIRAS X UNIVERSITY

PALMEIRAS – Weverton; Khellven, Bruno Fuchs, Micael and Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Lucas Evangelista and Maurício; Allan, Luighi and Facundo Torres. Coach: Abel Ferreira.

UNIVERSITY – Britos; Polo, Corzo, Carabalí, Di Benedetto and Inga; Pérez Guedes, Ureña and Concha; Flores and Valera. Coach: Jorge Fossati.

REFEREE – Piero Maza (Chile).

TIME – 9:30 p.m.

LOCATION – Allianz Parque, in São Paulo (SP).