Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro enter Tuesday’s second leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-final with River Plate firmly in control after a commanding 3-0 win in Belo Horizonte. Set against the intense backdrop of Estadio Mas Monumental in Buenos Aires, Mineiro’s advantage gives them a solid grip on this tie as they look to secure their place in the tournament final.
But for Marcelo Gallardo and his River Plate squad, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Los Millonarios are on shaky ground, having struggled to find the net in recent outings, with only one goal scored across their last five matches. Gallardo will need to rally his players for a near-miraculous comeback to overturn the deficit and keep their Libertadores dream alive.
Facing the challenge of breaking down a Mineiro side built around a relentless defensive core and quick counterattacks, River Plate will need an inspired performance in front of their home crowd. This clash promises to be nothing short of thrilling, as Argentina’s top talent goes up against Brazil’s best in an all-out fight to the finish.
River Plate face a daunting challenge in the second leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final after a bruising 3-0 loss in the first match. Marcelo Gallardo's squad finds itself in rough waters, winless in five matches and needing nothing short of a miracle to overturn a three-goal deficit against Atletico Mineiro, a side that has outclassed them in their last three meetings.
This was not just another loss for River; it was their first defeat in this year’s Libertadores, and the only time they failed to score in the tournament. Still, hope lingers - after all, River have a proud record of remaining unbeaten at home against Brazilian clubs in this competition since 2021. They’ll need every ounce of that home advantage and spirit as they prepare for one of their toughest battles yet.
Injuries have also plagued Gallardo's side, with key players like Rodrigo Aliendro, Agustin Sant'Anna, and Marcos Acuna all absent in the opening leg due to various ailments. Tactical adjustments brought Paulo Diaz, Enzo Diaz, and Nicolas Fonseca into the lineup, though the trio struggled to counter Mineiro’s relentless pressure.
Domestically, River have stumbled, tallying just two wins in their last ten league games, alongside seven draws. But with everything on the line, they’ll need to summon their very best to stay alive in the Libertadores - and remind the continent why they are still one of South America’s most storied clubs.
RIVER PLATE predicted lineup vs ATLETICO MINEIRO: Armani (GK); Bustos, P. Diaz, Pezzella, Gonzalez-Pirez; Simon, Kranevitter, Fernandez; Bareiro, Borja, Colidio.
Atletico Mineiro are just ninety minutes away from reclaiming a spot in the Copa Libertadores final, a stage they last reached in their triumphant 2013 campaign. Their 3-0 dismantling of River Plate in the first leg has given them a commanding lead, and with one foot in the final, the Brazilian side will arrive in Buenos Aires ready to close the deal.
However, Mineiro’s weekend stumble - a rare 3-1 home defeat to Internacional - ended a seven-game unbeaten run, hinting that this might not be an easy task. With just eight games remaining in the Brazilian Serie A and currently sitting in ninth place, winning this Libertadores may be their golden ticket to secure a spot in next year's tournament.
River Plate's recent form has been shaky, going scoreless in four of their last five games, but Mineiro's away record isn’t flawless either - they haven’t won on the road since August. While River will be banking on their home crowd and an aggressive push from the start, Mineiro have their recent head-to-head record to inspire confidence, winning their last three meetings with River without conceding a single goal.
For Tuesday, two key players - Bernard and Cadu - are unlikely to feature as they continue to recover from knee injuries. On the brighter side, Matías Zaracho returns to the squad after missing the first leg, potentially adding another weapon to Mineiro’s attack, while Eduardo Vargas is expected to join the action after a bench appearance in the opening leg.
In their last ten league matches, Mineiro’s form has been inconsistent, with three wins, three draws, and four defeats. But for Mineiro, this Libertadores tie is everything—the chance to reach for glory once more and give their fans a season to remember.
ATLETICO MINEIRO predicted lineup vs RIVER PLATE: Everson (GK); Lyanco, Battaglia, Alonso; Scarpa, Otavio, Franco, Arana; Hulk, Paulinho; Deyverson
