Colombia’s America de Cali host Brazil’s Athletico PR on Wednesday in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana last 16. The Colombia’s are aiming to take a big scalp in South America’s secondary cup tournament, but will they be able to down the Brazilians?
Athletico PR finished top of their group in the Copa Sudamericana to advance to the round of 16. America de Cali, on the other hand, dropped into the second-tier competition following their elimination from the Copa Libertadores.
🚍 ¡Vamos todos juntos por nuestros objetivos! 🔜 @Sudamericana 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1sHMLFsT2X— América de Cali (@AmericadeCali) July 12, 2021
🚍 ¡Vamos todos juntos por nuestros objetivos! 🔜 @Sudamericana 🏆 pic.twitter.com/1sHMLFsT2X
The Brazilians certainly have an advantage over America de Cali in terms of fitness and sharpness. Athletico PR are in the midst of the Brazilian Serie A season. They sit fifth in the competition after 10 matches.
America de Cali have not played a competitive match since May when the Colombian Apertura concluded. They ended the tournament in eighth place. It allowed the Red Devils to reach the Apertura playoffs where they were beaten in the quarterfinals by Millonarios.
Former Mexico and Paraguay national team coach Juan Carlos Osirios was drafted in to manage the team following the Apertura. His first match in charge is a difficult one versus Athletico PR.
The Brazilians have won eight, drawn four, and lost twice in their 14 matches since America de Cali last played a competitive match. America de Cali will have the odds stacked against them due to a lack of match sharpness despite the new manager in charge.
Athletico PR are experienced in the Copa Sudamericana. They won the competition in 2018. America de Cali have never won a South American continental stage trophy.
Antonio Oliveira’s Hurrican will be without Santos and Abner Vinicius. The duo is away on Olympics duty with the Brazil national team. They will be out of club action for around a month. Lucas Halter is likely to miss the match for Athletico PR through injury.
America de Cali have added seven new players to their squad during the break between domestic tournaments. Mauricio Gomez was Osirio’s most recent addition to the team.
Fellow new signings Jorge Segura and Elvis Mosquera are expected to be drafted in to play. Osorio is likely to deploy a 4-3-1-2 formation to focus on attacking football. It would allow strikers Jeison Lucumi and Adrian Ramos to play together in attack.
Despite the changes made by America de Cali, Athletico PR are just too strong and in the middle of a solid Serie A campaign.
Athletico PR should win the fixture and snatch the upper hand in the two-legged tie. The game should see under 2.5 goals as the Hurricane wins.