The 2024 Copa Libertadores semi-finals are upon us, and it promises to be an electrifying clash as Atletico Mineiro welcome River Plate to the Arena MRV for the first leg of this highly anticipated tie. Both teams arrive with something to prove, and tensions are running high.
Atletico Mineiro knocked out reigning champions Fluminense 2-1 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, while River Plate edged past Colo-Colo by the same margin. Atletico’s momentum continues to build, extending their unbeaten run to five games after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Vasco da Gama in the Copa do Brasil semi-finals. Hulk was the hero, scoring a crucial late equalizer in the 83rd minute to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory and send his team to the final.
River, on the other hand, have hit a rough patch. They are winless in their last three matches, including two consecutive 1-1 draws, the most recent against Velez Sarsfield in the Argentine Primera Division. But despite their domestic struggles, River have been relentless in the Libertadores - unbeaten in 10 matches, with eight of those being victories.
This is a match that could go either way, but with Atletico’s form and home advantage, they might just edge the first leg.
Both sides know there’s no room for error with everything on the line!
Atletico Mineiro are riding high ahead of this semi-final clash, unbeaten in their last five matches across all competitions. They've been especially formidable at home in the Libertadores this season, boasting a 100% win record while keeping three clean sheets in five games - a fortress no team has been able to breach.
The last time these two sides met in 2021, Atletico handed River Plate a crushing 3-0 defeat, and history seems to favor the Brazilian side. In their last two encounters, Mineiro have two wins, while River have yet to register a single victory. Both games have averaged just two goals, suggesting another tense, closely fought battle could be on the cards.
While Mineiro are sitting comfortably in ninth place in Serie A, with no real ambitions domestically, their focus is firmly on the silverware they’re chasing in the Libertadores. Under the guidance of Diego Milito, the team is laser-focused on advancing to the final. However, they’ll be without Matias Zaracho, who’s still recovering from surgery, and both Bernard and Cadu remain doubts due to knee injuries.
Deyverson, who shined with a brace in the second leg against Fluminense, will lead the charge once more, while goalkeeper Everson looks to continue his superb form after not needing to make a single save in that match.
With all the momentum on their side and a passionate home crowd behind them, Atletico Mineiro will be aiming to strike first in this high-stakes showdown against a struggling River Plate side!
ATLETICO MINEIRO predicted lineup vs RIVER PLATE: Everson (GK); Lyanco, Battaglia, Alonso; Scarpa, Franco, Vera, Arana; Bernard; Deyverson, Hulk.
River Plate come into this clash with renewed momentum, having ended their two-game scoring drought and remaining unbeaten in away games throughout this year’s Libertadores campaign. They’ve won three of their five road matches in the competition, showing their resilience on foreign soil, and they’ll need every ounce of that fighting spirit against Atletico Mineiro.
Despite being a powerhouse in Argentina, River currently find themselves in a surprising eighth place in the league standings, sitting ten points behind leaders Vélez Sarsfield. However, their Libertadores form has been a different story - where they’re still considered a major threat for the title.
River face some injury concerns, with Pity Martinez likely to miss out due to an ACL issue, and Rodrigo Aliendro nursing a sore shoulder. Agustin Sant'Anna is also still sidelined with a knee injury. Yet, the Argentinians still have plenty of firepower. Facundo Colidio, who netted the decisive goal in their last Libertadores fixture, will be key in their attack, while captain and goalkeeper Franco Armani will need to be at his best after earning a clean sheet with two crucial saves in that game.
With their strong away form and a point to prove, River Plate will be determined to take the fight to Mineiro in what promises to be a fiercely contested semi-final.
RIVER PLATE predicted lineup vs ATLETICO MINEIRO: Armani (GK); Bustos, Pezzella, Gonzalez Pirez, Acuna; Lanzini, Bareiro, Fernandez; Meza, Borja, Colidio.
