Palmeiras beat River Plate 2-1 in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores 2025.
Photo: EFE – Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
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A packed palmeiras, and with one foot in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores after imposing 1-2 in the first leg of the quarterfinals, it will be measured on Wednesday with a River Plate that needs to raise its level to tip the balance in its favor.
Those led by Marcelo Gallardo must turn at least two goals to advance to the semifinals after being defeated in Buenos Aires, with so many of Gustavo Gómez and Vitor Roque. The Argentines could only cut distance with a goal by Lucas Martínez Quarta in the end.
A triumph by River's minimum on Wednesday will take the definition to a penalty shootout, while a draw classifies the Paulista team, which is also on a streak, because in the Brazilian league he thrashed strength 4-1 on Saturday and depends on himself to recover the leadership.
Not surprisingly, the Verdão has raised the Copa Libertadores (1999, 2020 and 2021) three times and hopes to complete the 'tetra' this year. Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira will virtually feature all his main headlines, whom he reserved on the last day of the 'Brazilian'.
The offensive is presumed to be led again by the Uruguayan Joaquín Piquerez, Vitor Roque and the Argentine Juan Manuel 'Flaco' López. The one who will remain outside the court will be striker Paulinho, after the surgery that had to be performed after the Club World Cup, while Khellven is doubtful.
River Plate, meanwhile, is pressured after falling 2-0 against Atlético Tucumán in the Argentine Championship. For the return, Gallardo will not have Sebastián Driussi, Maximiliano Meza, Germán Pezzella and Giorgio Costantini, all injured.
Giuliano Galoppo, on the other hand, returns after suspension and Lautaro Rivero, who had a discomfort in the twin, will be available. The three Colombians who are part of the squad will also be available: Juan Fernando Quintero, Kevin Castaño and Miguel Ángel Borja.
Probable alignments
Palmeiras: Weverton; Giay, Gustavo Gómez, Murilo, Joaquín Piquerez; Aníbal Moreno, Lucas Evangelista, Andreas Pereira, Felipe Anderson; Juan Manuel 'Flaco' López and Vitor Roque. DT: Abel Ferreira
River Plate: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuña; Kevin Castaño, Juan Carlos Portillo, Giuliano Galoppo; Juanfer Quintero, Facundo Colidio and Maximiliano Salas. DT: Marcelo Gallardo
Arbitrator: Andrés Matonte (Uru).
Time and where to see live the return between Palmeiras and River Plate:
Date: Wednesday, September 24
Place: Allianz Parque de Sao Paulo (Brazil)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Canal: ESPN and Disney+
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