Sports
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Fluminense Kicks Off Copa Sudamericana vs. Once Caldas
Fluminense Kicks Off Copa Sudamericana Campaign Against Once Caldas Amid Managerial Uncertainty
Fluminense begins its 2025 Copa Sudamericana campaign on April 1st against Once Caldas in Manizales, Colombia. The match, kicking off at 9:30 PM Brasília time, will be broadcast on SBT, ESPN, and Disney+. The game holds added significance for Fluminense, who are currently searching for a new manager following the dismissal of Mano Menezes after a three-game winless streak, including a loss in their Brasileirão opener and the Carioca title defeat to their biggest rival. Marcão will lead the team temporarily.
Fluminense will be without several key players due to injury: Otávio (Achilles tendon), Ganso (ablation), Riquelme (knee), Isaque (knee), Gabriel Fuentes (left thigh), and Renato Augusto (transitioning). Marcão is expected to field a lineup similar to the one used by Menezes in the last match, with a few adjustments due to limited training time. The probable starting XI includes Fábio, Guga (or Samuel Xavier), Ignácio, Thiago Silva, and Renê in defense; Hércules (or Bernal), Martinelli, and Lima (or Lezcano) in midfield; and Arias, Canobbio, and Cano in attack.
Once Caldas, currently 10th in the Colombian league, enters the match on a two-game winning streak, including victories over Millonarios in the Sudamericana preliminary stage and Llaneros FC. Herrera, the Once Caldas manager, has a full squad available and is likely to deploy a similar lineup to their recent Colombian league matches. Their probable starting eleven consists of James Aguirre, Juan David Cuesta, Jorge Cardona, Jerson Malagon, and Juan Pablo Patiño in defense; Iván Rojas, Mateo García, Jefry Zapata, and Alejandro García in midfield; and Michael Barrios and Dayro Moreno in attack.
The match will be officiated by an Argentine team: Maximiliano Nicolas Ramirez (referee), Maximiliano David Del Yesso and Jose Miguel Savorani (assistant referees), Nazareno Jose Arasa (fourth official), Nicolas Lamolina (VAR), and Hernan Carlos Mastrangelo (AVAR).
Germán Cano, Fluminense's star striker, will be looking to add to his impressive record against Once Caldas. He has scored 11 goals in 13 games against them throughout his career, playing for Deportivo Pereira and Independiente Medellín. Despite this personal success, his teams have a poor overall record against Once Caldas, with only two wins in 13 matches. This match marks Once Caldas' return to continental competition after a six-year absence, with the Sudamericana as their primary focus.
Fluminense begins its 2025 Copa Sudamericana campaign on April 1st against Once Caldas in Manizales, Colombia. The match, kicking off at 9:30 PM Brasília time, will be broadcast on SBT, ESPN, and Disney+. The game holds added significance for Fluminense, who are currently searching for a new manager following the dismissal of Mano Menezes after a three-game winless streak, including a loss in their Brasileirão opener and the Carioca title defeat to their biggest rival. Marcão will lead the team temporarily.
Fluminense will be without several key players due to injury: Otávio (Achilles tendon), Ganso (ablation), Riquelme (knee), Isaque (knee), Gabriel Fuentes (left thigh), and Renato Augusto (transitioning). Marcão is expected to field a lineup similar to the one used by Menezes in the last match, with a few adjustments due to limited training time. The probable starting XI includes Fábio, Guga (or Samuel Xavier), Ignácio, Thiago Silva, and Renê in defense; Hércules (or Bernal), Martinelli, and Lima (or Lezcano) in midfield; and Arias, Canobbio, and Cano in attack.
Once Caldas, currently 10th in the Colombian league, enters the match on a two-game winning streak, including victories over Millonarios in the Sudamericana preliminary stage and Llaneros FC. Herrera, the Once Caldas manager, has a full squad available and is likely to deploy a similar lineup to their recent Colombian league matches. Their probable starting eleven consists of James Aguirre, Juan David Cuesta, Jorge Cardona, Jerson Malagon, and Juan Pablo Patiño in defense; Iván Rojas, Mateo García, Jefry Zapata, and Alejandro García in midfield; and Michael Barrios and Dayro Moreno in attack.
The match will be officiated by an Argentine team: Maximiliano Nicolas Ramirez (referee), Maximiliano David Del Yesso and Jose Miguel Savorani (assistant referees), Nazareno Jose Arasa (fourth official), Nicolas Lamolina (VAR), and Hernan Carlos Mastrangelo (AVAR).
Germán Cano, Fluminense's star striker, will be looking to add to his impressive record against Once Caldas. He has scored 11 goals in 13 games against them throughout his career, playing for Deportivo Pereira and Independiente Medellín. Despite this personal success, his teams have a poor overall record against Once Caldas, with only two wins in 13 matches. This match marks Once Caldas' return to continental competition after a six-year absence, with the Sudamericana as their primary focus.
