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With a large advantage, Atlético wants to prevent Athletico's miracle

Galo won the first leg 4-0 and is close to winning the Copa do Brasil
Lincoln Chaves - Repórter da TV Brasil e da Rádio Nacional
Published on 15/12/2021 - 07:00
São Paulo
Atlético-MG, athletico-pr, copa do brasil
© Pedro Souza/Atlético/Direitos Reservados

The last national champion of 2021 will be known this Wednesday (15). From 9:30 pm (Brasilia time), Athletico-PR and Atlético-MG face off at Arena da Baixada, in Curitiba, to decide the title of the Copa do Brasil. Rádio Nacional broadcasts the match live.

Galo's advantage is huge. Last Sunday (12), the miners thrashed by 4-0 and may even lose by three goals difference that are with the bi-championship. If the title comes, the Alvinegros, winners previously in 2013, will repeat the feat that their rival Cruzeiro achieved in 2003: being Brazilian, state and Copa do Brasil champions in the same season.

Hurricane needs a miracle to win the tournament again, after the 2019 title. The defeat in the first game was the worst in the history of the finals of the Copa do Brasil. To be champion in normal time, the club from Paraná must win by a difference of five goals, which has not happened in 2021. The closest that the red-black team came was in May, when they applied 4-0 at Aucas (Ecuador) , for the Copa Sudamericana. The result, if repeated on Wednesday, takes the decision to penalties.

At Atlético-MG, coach Cuca must repeat most of the first leg of the lineup. The doubt is ahead, as Diego Costa is treating a thigh injury and has not even traveled to Curitiba, although there is a possibility of joining the group. It is likely that he will be replaced by fellow striker Eduardo Vargas, who scored two goals at Mineirão.

Galo must act with: Everson; Mariano, Igor Rabello, Junior Alonso and Guilherme Arana; Allan, Jair and Matías Zaracho; Hulk, Eduardo Vargas and Keno (Diego Costa).

On the Athletico-PR side, coach Alberto Valentim's doubt is Nikão, who has had pain in his ankle since the first game. He can give way to fellow striker Pedro Rocha if he doesn't have the conditions to act. Defender and captain Thiago Heleno, suspended for the third yellow card, is clearly embezzled and has Zé Ivaldo as immediate substitute.

The probable hurricane will have: Santos; Pedro Henrique, Zé Ivaldo and Nico Hernández; Marcinho, Erick, Léo Cittadini and Abner; Nikão (Pedro Rocha), Renato Kayzer and David Terans.

Text translated using artificial intelligence.