The decisive phase of the Copa Conmebol Sudamericana has begun. The 16 teams that remain in the competition already know their rivals and are preparing to face the first leg of each series. Palestino from Chile and Independiente Medellín from Colombia will star in one of the most attractive duels of this stage.
Palestino has a recent history of facing a Colombian team, the team led by Lucas Bovaglio played against Millonarios in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, but on that occasion, under the command of the Argentine Pablo Sánchez. The balance was positive, at home they won 3-1 in Coquimbo, while in Bogotá, it was a 1-1 draw.
In this Copa Libertadores, the Chilean team finished in third place in Group E behind Bolívar of Bolivia and Flamengo of Brazil. Due to this, they played the play-off against Cuiabá and qualified for this phase of the Sudamericana. Now they must return to Colombia and challenge Independiente Medellín, the team that was the leader of its zone to reach this phase.
Palestinian, no surprises in the line-up
Lucas Bovaglio, the team’s coach, does not plan to modify the lineup for the match at the National Stadium, compared to the one that defeated O’Higgins 4-1 in the Chilean league. The formation would remain the traditional 4-3-3, with the wingers as the protagonists in generating attacks.
Palestino would take to the field as follows: Cesar Rigamonti; Benjamin Rojas, Ivan Roman, Cristian Suarez, Dylan Zuniga; Nicolas Linares, Ariel Martinez, Misael Davila; Bryan Carrasco, Gonzalo Sosa and Jonathan Benitez.
The match between Palestino and Medellín for the first leg of the round of 16 will be this Wednesday at 7:30 Colombian time at the National Stadium in Santiago de Chile, while the return game will be in the capital of Antioquia a week after this match.
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