River Plate will face Colo-Colo at the legendary Estadio Monumental on Wednesday for the thrilling second leg of their Copa Libertadores quarter-final. Everything is on the line.
After a fiercely contested first leg in Chile, which ended in a 1-1 draw, the tension couldn't be higher. River Plate managed to extend their unbeaten streak in this year’s tournament, but it was far from easy. The clash in Santiago was a battle from the start, with tempers flaring and discipline tested. Eight yellow cards flew, and both teams saw red - literally - with a player from each side being sent off. German Pezzella gave River the edge late in the first half, only for Colo-Colo's Carlos Palacios to strike back just past the hour mark, keeping the tie wide open.
Now, all eyes turn to Buenos Aires, where the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s winner-takes-all, as one team will move on to the next stage, while the other’s dream will come crashing down. This is the kind of match that defines champions.
The Argentinians enter this crucial clash on a high, unbeaten in their last 10 games across all competitions. Their latest triumph came just last Saturday, with a 1-0 victory over Boca Juniors in the Superclasico, a result that boosts their confidence as they shift focus to the Libertadores.
However, River will be without key players. Rodrigo Aliendro is out with a shoulder injury until late October, and Pity Martinez is sidelined with a cruciate ligament tear until next month. Maximiliano Meza is doubtful after picking up a knock, and Paulo Diaz will miss the match due to suspension after his red card in the first leg.
Despite these absences, River will aim to capitalize on their form and home advantage to advance.
RIVER PLATE predicted lineup vs COLO-COLO: Armani (GK); Bustos, Pezzella, Acuna, E. Diaz; Simon, Fernandez, Kranevitter; Echeverri, Borja, Meza.
Colo-Colo are aiming to win their first Copa Libertadores quarter-final match since a 3-1 victory over Universidad Catolica in 1997. Despite their underdog status, they've proven to be dangerous, scoring in each of their last six matches, netting nine goals in total.
With a week to prepare for this decisive fixture, Colo-Colo will be hoping to bounce back after a 3-0 loss to Magallanes in the Copa Chile before the first leg draw. They are winless in their last two games, a sharp contrast to their six-game winning streak prior.
For this clash, Colo-Colo will be without Maximiliano Falcon, suspended after his red card in the first leg. Vicente Pizarro is sidelined with a broken jaw, and Cesar Fuentes remains out with a knee injury sustained in March.
COLO-COLO predicted lineup vs RIVER PLATE: Cortes (GK); Isla, Amor, Saldivia, Wiemberg; Gil, Pavez; Vidal, Palacios, Cepeda; Correa.
There’s plenty of history between River Plate and Colo-Colo, with the two sides meeting nine times. River have dominated this fixture, winning five matches, while Colo-Colo have managed just one victory. The remaining three games ended in draws, and River are undefeated in their last eight encounters with the Chilean side. Perhaps most tellingly, River Plate have never lost to Colo-Colo in their last four meetings.
Defensively, River have been solid in this year’s Copa Libertadores, conceding just five goals so far, with only Sao Paulo allowing fewer. Colo-Colo, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency, keeping just one clean sheet in their last four outings. Despite a mixed run of form, Colo-Colo have shown they can be dangerous on the road, winning two away games in this year’s tournament.
But the odds favor River Plate, who are playing at home in the fortress that is the Estadio Monumental. Fresh off a victory in the Superclasico against Boca Juniors, River are riding high and look well-positioned to seal their place in the next round.
All signs point to the Argentinians continuing their unbeaten streak against Colo-Colo and advancing further in the competition.
