Last week in Caldas, a lone strike from Alan Patrick gave Santos a crucial 1-0 away win. They now look to be favourites, but must be wary of Once Caldas’ triumph against another Brazilian side in the last round. Cruzeiro won the first leg 2-1 away from home, but the Colombians produced a shock 2-0 win in Brazil to progress.
But Santos will be confident thanks to their impressive home form in the competition. They have not lost on their own turf in the Copa Libertadores since 2005, a run of 16 games, of which they have won 15. In four home games in this year’s tournament, they have won three and drawn one.
They have gone 200 minutes without conceding a goal, and have fond memories against Colombian opposition in the Libertadores, having knocked out Cucuta Deportivo in the last 16 in 2008. Santos also beat Deportivo Pasto home and away in the 2007 group stage.
Peixe will once again be without their injured prodigy Paulo Henrique Ganso due to a thigh problem. They will be hoping the players who scored the goals to win the Campeonato Paulista final, Neymar and Arouca, can repeat the trick and help them move one step closer to lifting the trophy for the first time since 1963.
