Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana clash between Fortaleza and Rosario Central, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Seeking a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana for a second successive campaign, Fortaleza host Rosario Central in the second leg of that tie on Wednesday at Arena Castelao.
A goal from each side within the opening six minutes last week means that this tie is all square at 1-1 heading into this decisive encounter.
Match preview
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Despite failing to triumph from a winning position for the first time at the Sudamericana this year, Fortaleza remain in a strong position to advance.
Juan Pablo Vojvoda‘s men suffered just one defeat in the group stage (4-1 to Nacional Potosi) and are currently riding a 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
In the group phase of the Sudamericana this year, they emerged victorious from each home fixture, outscoring their opponents by a combined margin of 9-3.
The Sudamericana runners-up from a year ago are unbeaten in their last eight knockout matches at this tournament in normal time.
Meanwhile, they have never lost a knockout fixture played at Castelao, winning 11 successive home matches in all competitions.
Leao do Pici boast a 100% record at home against Argentine opponents in the Sudamericana, most recently defeating Boca Juniors in the opening phase at Castelao (4-2).
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It did not take long for Rosario to respond to going a goal behind, answering the Brazilians’ opener within four minutes on Wednesday.
While they had their share of opportunities, with 56% possession and five targeted efforts, the Argentines could not find a decisive breakthrough to win that contest.
That game last week was the first time at the Libertadores this year that they conceded the opener and only the second time they earned a result from a losing position in an international club competition in 2024.
Matias Lequi has not collected a win as interim manager since matchday 10 of the Argentine Primera Division campaign (1-0 over Newell’s Old Boys), as his side are currently on a three-match winless run.
A victory on Wednesday would mark their first trip to the last eight of this competition since 2021, when they were eliminated by Brazilian side Bragantino (5-3 on aggregate).
Canalla have only claimed one victory at this tournament against a team from the Brazilian top-flight, beating Internacional at home last year in the round of 32 by a 1-0 score and advancing from that tie 2-1 on aggregate.
Fortaleza Copa Sudamericana form:
Fortaleza form (all competitions):
Rosario Central Copa Sudamericana form:
Rosario Central form (all competitions):
Team News
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In the opening match of this tie, Fortaleza were missing Calebe, who is dealing with a muscle issue, while Juan Martin Lucero was sidelined due to a thigh injury.
A goal in the second-minute courtesy of Marinho, who only recently returned from an unknown injury, was all the visitors could manage last week.
Rosario did not have Marco Ruben available last Wednesday as he is recovering from a thigh issue, while Agustin Bravo remains out because of a cruciate ligament tear.
Their left-back Agustin Sandez was the only one to find the mark for them in the opening game of this tie, his second of the competition.
Fortaleza possible starting lineup:
Ricardo; Britez, Kuscevic, Cardona, Pacheco; Rossetto, Augusto; Marinho, Pochettino, Lopes; Moises
Rosario Central possible starting lineup:
Broun; Coronel, Mallo, Quintana, Sandez; Martinez, Ibarra; Gomez, Ortiz, Malcorra; Copetti
We say: Fortaleza 1-0 Rosario Central (Fortaleza advances 2-1 on aggregate)
The Brazilians have a lot of momentum at home heading into this contest, and their recent experience in these must-win games should propel them to a narrow triumph.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.