A place in the knockout stage of the Copa Libertadores will be on the line for Flamengo as they prepare to face Millonarios on Tuesday at the Maracana in the final group fixture for each team.
Despite their 4-0 victory versus Bolivar, Urubu are clinging to second place in Group E on goal difference, narrowly above Palestino, who played to a 1-1 draw against Millonarios on matchday five, ending the Colombians' chances of making the last 16.
Match preview
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Flamengo will head into the final matchday in danger of exiting this competition much earlier than expected if they fail to come away with maximum points on Tuesday.
The good news for Tite is that his players control their destiny ahead of this match, as a victory would assure them of a place in the top two at the very least.
Should they lose on Tuesday, Flamengo would have to hope that Palestino do the same and that there is not a seven-goal swing in favour of the Chileans.
Finishing first in their group for a fifth time in the last six editions of this tournament is still a possibility, with the club from Rio just three points behind Bolivar, but the Brazilians hold a +4 goal differential, two more than the Bolivians.
The three-time Libertadores winners have been nearly perfect at home in the group stage of this tournament, winning both encounters by a combined score of 6-0, claiming three successive triumphs in all competitions at the Maracana and posting a clean sheet on each occasion.
Mengao have made it beyond the group stage of this competition in each of the previous six editions, while they will end this phase with 10 points at most, the fewest for this side at the Libertadores since 2019 (10).
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Exiting the Libertadores so early is a familiar feeling for Millonarios, who only have themselves to blame for missing the knockout phase yet again this year.
El famoso Millos have not made it into the last 16 of this tournament since 1997, exiting in the group stage or earlier now in each of their previous six appearances.
Alberto Gamero's men have been badly exposed defensively in the group stage, conceding three times in both of their away contests, while they are winless in four successive matches in all competitions as the visitors.
Going home early may be a familiar sight for this team at the Libertadores, but in 2024, Embajadores have had opportunities to move up the table, dropping four points in their last two group games when leading at the interval.
If they fail to claim a point on Tuesday, they will end the group phase with just three points altogether, the fewest for them in this portion of the competition since 2013 (three).
Millos have only claimed one victory all-time against a Brazilian opponent at this tournament, defeating Corinthians in Sao Paulo during the 2018 group phase (1-0).
Team News
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Bruno Henrique is unlikely to be available for Flamengo until early June because of a strain injury, while Leo Pereira will be eligible to play despite being suspended for their next domestic encounter after receiving another caution in their 2-0 league triumph over Corinthians.
Three changes were made to their starting 11 from matchday four to five at the Libertadores, with Guillermo Varela, Ayrton, and Giorgian de Arrascaeta replacing Matias Vina, Wesley Franca and Henrique.
Gerson gave them a lead in the opening minute of their match with Bolivar, as he, Ayrton and Everton each netted for the first time in the Libertadores this year, while Pedro scored for the third time in the group stage.
Diego Abadia missed the previous Millonarios group fixture as he is recovering from cruciate ligament surgery, Omar Bertel has an Achilles tendon problem and Jader Valencia is dealing with a ligament injury.
On matchday five, we saw three newcomers in their opening lineup as Delvin Alfonzo, Daniel Giraldo and Juan Carvajal replaced Sander Navarro, Stiven Vega and Leonardo Castro.
Carvajal had the only goal in their previous group contest, while Daniel Ruiz scored in the 80th minute, enabling them to claim a 1-1 draw versus Flamengo in the opening match for both in the group stage.
Flamengo possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Varela, Bruno, L. Pereira, Ayrton; De la Cruz, Allan; Gerson, Goncalves, Everton; Pedro
Millonarios possible starting lineup:
Montero; Alfonzo, Llinas, Vargas, J. Hernandez; J. Pereira, Vega; Rodriguez, Silva, Ruiz; Navarro
We say: Flamengo 3-0 Millonarios
While it is unusual to see Flamengo potentially on the brink of elimination at this stage, we believe their experience in win-or-go-home scenarios, along with their strong form at home, will enable them to prolong their Libertadores adventure into the last 16.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
