Needing a win to advance beyond the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana, Guarani will host Botafogo in the return leg on Wednesday from Estadio Defensores del Chaco.
In the opening match between these two sides, Fogo rallied from a goal down at half-time to capture a 2-1 triumph as the Brazilians remain unbeaten in this competition.
Match preview
© Reuters
Playing in the knockout stage of the Copa Sudamericana for the first time, Guarani got off to a perfect start, taking the lead after three minutes, though once again, some late defensive breakdowns cost them.
The Paraguayans conceded a 90th-minute penalty as they have now allowed four goals in this tournament with fewer than 10 minutes remaining.
That was the first time at the Sudamericana this year that they had gone on to lose a match in regulation time despite scoring the opening goal.
Wednesday will be the first time they host a Sudamericana knockout stage encounter, and Juan Pablo Pumpido's men are unbeaten at home in this year's competition, defeating Huracan 2-0 on matchday six.
They have only captured three competitive games played at home versus Brazilian opponents, defeating Corinthians in the 2020 and 2015 Copa Libertadores, 1-0 and 2-0, respectively.
While this is their first time in the last 16 of this tournament, El Cacique have been eliminated from every knockout stage tie at the Copa Libertadores this century when losing their opening match.
© Reuters
Fogo were knocked down early last Wednesday but picked themselves up with a strong second half, winning for the first time in this year's competition after conceding the opening goal.
Bruno Lage has yet to win an away match with his new team, though the 47-year-old coach saw his side collect their first clean sheet since he took charge last weekend, as they drew 0-0 at Cruzeiro.
At the same time, this team were held off the scoresheet on Sunday for the first time since playing to a 0-0 draw at LDU Quito on matchday five of the Sudamericana group phase in early June.
After conceding four goals in their opening two away matches in this competition, O Glorioso have posted back-to-back clean sheets on the road at this tournament, most recently defeating Patronato 2-0 in Argentina last month.
It is only the second time in the last 16 of this tournament that Botafogo find themselves in front after the opening game, with the current Brasileiro Serie A leaders being eliminated by River Plate at this stage in 2007, despite winning the first match 1-0, while they also lost their return engagement in 2009 versus Emelec (2-1) but advanced on that occasion, 3-2 on aggregate.
They will head into this encounter having lost two of their three previous visits to Paraguay after 90 minutes in this competition, with their lone triumph occurring at Club Sol de America in 2019 (1-0).
- W
- D
- W
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
- D
- L
- L
- W
- D
- D
- W
- D
- W
- W
- D
- D
- W
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
Antonio Marin and Richard Prieto were omitted from the Guarani lineup in the opening leg as they are both still dealing with ligament ruptures, which have kept them off the field for a long time.
Romeo Benitez put home the opening goal last week, his second at this tournament, while a brace from Federico Santander and a strike by Paul Riveros on Sunday were not enough as Rodrigo Munoz conceded five times in a 5-3 defeat at Olimpia.
Gabriel Pires could be back in the Botafogo side very soon as his calf strain is nearly healed, Luis Henrique could be available for this match as well despite previously hurting his shoulder, while Rafael will not return this season after sustaining a knee injury.
Hugo helped draw them level in the second half last week before Tiquinho Soares stepped up to convert a 90th-minute penalty to give his side a narrow victory.
Guarani possible starting lineup:
Munoz; Caceres, Moya, Riveros, Salomoni; Moreira, Martinez, Gallardo; Camacho, Santander, Barcelo
Botafogo possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Di Placido, Cuesta, Adryelson, Hugo; Tche Tche, Freitas; Fernandes, Eduardo, Sa; Janderson
We say: Guarani 1-2 Botafogo (Botafogo win 4-2 on aggregate)
Their form domestically has dropped a little of late, but Fogo have reacted well when faced with a setback, while managing to salvage their share of results, and the Guarani defensive issues of late have us leaning towards the Brazilians advancing.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.