Cerro Porteño vs Cristal – News and Probable Lineups

The powerful Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno is set to host the Peruvian team Sporting Cristal at the Estadio General Pablo Rojas in Asuncion for their concluding group-stage match in the Copa Libertadores on Thursday.

Both sides have significant stakes in Group F, as the home team aims to maintain their position at the top while the visitors still aspire to secure a place in the top two.

Match overview

Cerro Porteno has advanced to the knockout phase of the Copa Libertadores for the second consecutive season and for the fourth time out of the last six years, having gathered 10 points from their initial five fixtures in the group stage.

After suffering a 1-0 defeat in their opening match of Group F against Sporting Cristal, Ariel Holan’s squad has bounced back with three wins and one draw in their subsequent four matches, including earning four points in their clashes against the Brazilian powerhouses Palmeiras, both home and away.

Last week, an early goal from Pablo Vegetti in the second half proved decisive for Cerro Porteno, who now stands atop Group F. They understand that a victory on Thursday will secure first place; a draw could suffice if Palmeiras, currently in second, fail to win against Atletico Junior.

The Cyclone will be eager to return to the Estadio General Pablo Rojas, where they haven’t lost in their last nine home matches (W6 D3), recently securing a 2-0 victory over Rubio Nu on Sunday, which helped the 35-time Paraguayan Division de Honor champions solidify their position in third place in the standings. However, they remain 11 points behind the leading side, Olimpia.

Sporting Cristal could also reach the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores, but they must win on Thursday and require Palmeiras to lose in gameweek six. Cristal could still claim second place if Palmeiras draws, but they would need to defeat Cerro Porteno by a minimum of four goals to advance on goal difference.

Indeed, the 20-time champions of Peru face a challenging road to reach the knockout stages for the first time since the 2003-04 season; they have experienced 11 group-stage eliminations since then, and if they finish third in Group F, they would transition to the knockout phase of the Copa Sudamericana.

However, a loss could see Ze Ricardo’s team completely eliminated from continental competitions if Atletico Junior overtakes them in the standings with a win over Palmeiras.

Cristal has had a patchy run of form in recent weeks, managing just three wins in their last 11 outings across all competitions (D3 L6), but they did break a five-match winless streak on Sunday with a crucial 2-1 victory against ADT in the Liga 1 Apertura, leaving them in 11th position.

Team News

Cerro Porteno winger Gabriel Aguayo recently underwent surgery on his knee, joining left-back Blas Riveros and midfielder Gaston Gimenez on the injury list.

Holan is expected to revert to a formation with four defenders, with Fabrizio Dominguez, Matias Perez, captain Gustavo Velazquez, and Marcelo Chaparro likely starting in defense.

Mateo Klimowicz and Jorge Morel are anticipated to continue in advanced midfield positions supporting the 37-year-old striker Pablo Vegetti, who is aiming to score in his third consecutive Copa Libertadores match.

For Sporting Cristal, Renato Solis, Miguel Araujo, Christofer Gonzales, Santiago Gonzalez, and Luis Iberico are all sidelined due to injuries.

Only four players have netted more goals than captain Yoshimar Yotun (three) in this season’s Copa Libertadores, and he is expected to line up in a three-man midfield alongside Martin Tavara and Gustavo Cazonatti.

Cerro Porteno probable starting XI:

Arias; F. Dominguez, Perez, Velazquez, Chaparro; Piris da Motta; C. Dominguez, Morel, Klimowicz, Noguera; Vegetti

Sporting Cristal probable starting XI:

Enriquez; Sosa, Posito, Abram, Lutiger; Goods, Cazonatti, Yotun; Castro, Avila, Gonzalez

Sporting Cristal will believe in their chance to secure a victory over Cerro Porteno, having previously triumphed in the group stage; however, the home side is seen as the favorites and will aim to deliver a robust performance to ensure their top position in Group F. Given this, it appears likely that Holan’s team will secure all three points.