Fluminense play the second leg of their Copa Sul-Americana preliminary tie away to Goias tonight. The Rio club hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg, and a draw will be enough to see them through.
Coach Cristovão Borges took off both forwards Rafael Sóbis and Fred after the club had been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of goalkeeper Kléver, and the side conceded an injury-time goal.
This evening, he is expected to play with just one forward. Brazil striker Fred, who became a scapegoat for the country’s failure at the World Cup, should lead the line with playmakers Darío Conca, Cícero and Wágner operating behind him.
The latter has been the standout player for Flu in recent weeks, and won the penalty on Sunday as the team drew 1-1 with fellow title chasers Corinthians.
In 13 games the Fluminense no. 10 has played this season, the club have won eight, drawn two and lost three. Without Wágner, the team have managed just nine wins in 18, as well as losing six.
Sóbis’ injury means Borges is likely to pack the midfield to try and force Goiás to chase the game, allowing Fluminense to attempt to pick off their hosts on the counter.
The side reached the final of the Copa Sul-Americana in 2009, but lost narrowly over two legs to Ecuadorian club LDU Qutio, who had also defeated them in the Copa Libertadores the year before.
