As the second leg of the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals approaches, Atlético Mineiro and São Paulo are gearing up for another battle on Thursday, September 12, at 9:45 pm, at Arena MRV in Belo Horizonte. It’s a high-stakes match, especially after Atlético took a 1-0 win in the first leg, giving them the slight upper hand going into this game.
Atlético’s Position and Missing Players
With a narrow victory in the first leg thanks to Battaglia’s goal, Atlético only needs a draw to advance to the semifinals. However, if they lose by one goal, the game will go to penalties, adding extra tension to the contest.
Unfortunately, Atlético will be missing several key players. Fausto Vera, for one, is unavailable due to having already played for Corinthians in this tournament. Matías Zaracho is still recovering from surgery, while Alisson is out with a thigh injury. Lastly, Deyverson won’t play either, as he’s already represented Cuiabá in this competition.
The good news for Atlético fans is that they’ll see the return of Bruno Fuchs and Paulinho, who missed the previous game due to suspensions. Hulk is also back in action, having fully trained during the FIFA break, ready to lead the attack once again. It looks like coach Gabriel Milito may stick with a lineup similar to the first leg, though Junior Alonso’s and Alan Franco’s fitness after international duty will be a consideration.
São Paulo’s Challenge
São Paulo, on the other hand, faces their own set of challenges. Recent signings Santiago Longo and Jamal Lewis are ineligible for this match as they were signed after the registration deadline. Injuries are also an issue for São Paulo, with a lengthy list of sidelined players, including key figures like Igor Vinícius, Patryck, and Pablo Maia, all dealing with various physical setbacks.
However, there is some good news for São Paulo. Players like Bobadilla and Lucas, who featured for their national teams, are expected to be fit and ready for this crucial match. Coach Luis Zubeldía will be hoping that their contributions, along with others like Calleri and Rafinha, will be enough to overcome Atlético’s advantage.
Final Thoughts
This is a match that could swing either way, with both teams dealing with absences but still fielding strong lineups. Atlético has a slight edge going into the second leg, but São Paulo is more than capable of making this a thrilling contest. It’s shaping up to be an intense night of football, and you won’t want to miss it.
