Estudiantes faces significant absences for potential Copa Libertadores clash against Flamengo.
Estudiantes (ARG) will be without two key players for the first leg of their potential Copa Libertadores semifinal tie, should Flamengo confirm their place in the next round. Midfielders Tomas Palacios and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, both vital parts of manager Eduardo Dominguez‘s tactical setup, received their third yellow cards in the competition and will serve a one-match suspension.
Major midfield absences
Tomas Palacios, who plays at left-back, is one of the Argentine side’s primary creative forces and delivered a decisive performance in the victory over Corinthians. His absence presents a significant challenge for the team’s attack.
Meanwhile, defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who anchors the left side of the backline, will also be unavailable, forcing the team to rely on bench players to reorganize their defensive system.
The impact of these absences will likely be felt in the first leg of the semifinals, which is set to take place in La Plata. The potential absence of these starters serves as welcome news for both Flamengo and Independiente del Valle (ECU), potential opponents for Estudiantes.
The Libertadores semifinals are scheduled for the weeks of October 14 and 21. The first leg will be held in Argentina, while the return leg is slated for either the Maracanã or Quito, depending on who advances. The winner of this tie will face the victor between Palmeiras and Fluminense.
Flamengo’s path
For Flamengo to face Estudiantes, the club must secure their spot against Independiente del Valle. After winning the first leg 2-0, the Rubro-Negro can afford to lose by a one-goal margin in the return leg, which will be played at the Maracanã this Thursday (17) at 9:30 PM (Brasília time).
The match will be broadcast on ESPN and Disney Plus.
The absence of players like Palacios, considered tactically vital, creates an opening for players such as Plata or Carrascal to make their mark. This is the opinion of the M360 team.
Conmebol has yet to finalize the exact dates and kickoff times for the Libertadores semifinals. High-stakes matches are expected, and the absences within the Estudiantes squad could directly influence the course of the competition.
M360 Team
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