Brazil’s Athletico PR host Ecuador’s Aucas on Thursday night in Copa Sudamericana play. Athletico PR are atop Group D going into the final matchday of the group stage. They have taken 12 points from 18 possible and sit three points ahead of second-place Melgar.
Aucas are already eliminated from reaching the round of 16 in the Copa Sudamericana. The tournament only allows one team per group to advance to the round of 16.
Athletico PR defeated Aucas 1-0 in the reverse fixture between the sides. Erick’s 38th minute goal gave the Brazilians the win in a low-scoring fixture.
All five of Athletico PR’s games in the Copa Sudamericana group stage have finished in 1-0 scorelines. Four of those matches finished in wins for the Brazilians while they suffered a 1-0 loss to Melgar.
If the Brazilians lose to Aucas on Thursday night and Melgar defeat Metropolitanos, the Peruvians could advance to the knockout stage. While Athletico PR’s games have all been low scoring, Aucas have seen three of their five group stage matches end with over 2.5 goals.
Athletico PR goes into the match needing a single point to guarantee qualification to the next round of the Copa Sudamericana. Coach António Oliveira will be without Thiago Heleno after he was sent off in the previous game. Meanwhile, veteran Lucho Gonzalez will bid farewell to the club.
Oliveira has a few decisions to make in the centre of midfield. Christian could start the game, but it may depend on how the manager deals with Gonzalez’s farewell fixture. Midfielder Jadson started the previous game, but is likely to move to the bench in favour of Fernando Canesín.
Aucas have won three matches in a row, but are eliminated from the Sudamericana tournament. Coach Héctor Bidoglio is likely to mix the team up for the match with Athletico PR to give younger players some experience.
Athletico PR have only scored four times in the Copa Sudamericana tournament. The defence has been immense allowing a mere one goal, which was conceded to Melgar in a 1-0 defeat.
Renato Kayzer has two of Athletico PR’s four goals in the competition. The 25-year-old averages a goal every 196 minutes in the Copa Sudamericana. He has 10 goals in 34 matches with Athletico PR since joining.
Athletico PR should see another low-scoring game in the Copa Sudamericana. The Brazilians should win and punch their ticket for the round of 16 despite Aucas’s form.
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