Flamengo face must-win Maracanã night to rescue Libertadores hopes | OneFootball

Flamengo return to the Maracanã on Wednesday night for a crucial Copa Libertadores encounter against Deportivo Táchira, aiming to secure their place in the knockout rounds. The Group C clash, kicking off at 21:30 Brasília time, marks the final fixture of the group stage, with the Brazilian side currently sitting second on eight points—level with LDU and three behind leaders Central Córdoba.

Fresh from a 2-0 victory away to Palmeiras in league action, Filipe Luís' team enter the game high on confidence but not without complications. The squad list remains stretched due to injuries: Plata, Erick Pulgar, De la Cruz, and Matías Viña are all ruled out. There is tentative optimism about the availability of Allan and Gerson—Allan is returning from a thigh problem, while Gerson is nursing inflammation in his left knee—though neither is yet guaranteed to feature.

Despite the absences, Flamengo come into the match as clear favorites, facing a Táchira side already eliminated from the competition and yet to earn a point in this group stage. The two clubs have met only once before, with Juninho scoring the winner in a 1-0 victory for Flamengo on Venezuelan soil in the reverse fixture.

Fan support looks set to be a factor; over 56,000 tickets had been sold on the eve of the match, with expectations that the attendance could rise to 61,000 once complimentary tickets are included. The Maracanã atmosphere will likely provide a familiar boost for Flamengo as they look to get the job done and avoid relying on results elsewhere—most notably the concurrent fixture between LDU and group leaders Central Córdoba.

Refereeing duties on the night will be handled by Carlos Ortega of Colombia, with fellow Colombians Jhon Gallego and Richard Ortiz assisting, and Keiner Jimenez on VAR.

The expected Flamengo lineup features Rossi in goal; Wesley, Léo Ortiz, Léo Pereira, and Alex Sandro across the back; Everton Araújo, Gerson (possibly Allan), and Arrascaeta in midfield; and an attack led by Luiz Araújo, Bruno Henrique (or Michael), and Pedro. Deportivo Táchira, managed by Pérez Greco, will likely start with Jesús Camargo in goal, and a back five in an effort to contain Flamengo's firepower.

For Flamengo, progression is the minimum requirement, but with a raucous home crowd and momentum on their side, they will hope to deliver a performance that sets a positive tone ahead of the decisive stages of the Libertadores.

Source: Lance