The Argentine side can no longer qualify for the knock out stages of South America’s most prestigious competition, as both Flu and Boca Juniors have already secured the top two positions in Group 4.
However, Deco expects Arsenal de Sarandi to still provide Fluminense with a difficult test in Buenos Aires. The former Portugal international told Globoesporte:
”I cannot imagine an Argentine side playing without their main characteristics: will, guts and competitive spirit. For that alone, this game will be difficult, despite them having already been eliminated.
”We don’t have it easy at all. We must go into the game matching the same level of their will.
A win in Argentina would seal top spot in Group 4 and give Fluminense the advantage of staging the second leg of their last-16 encounter in Rio de Janeiro, while theoretically it should increase their chances of meeting a lesser opponent in the next round.
”We know we have a big responsibility to win so we will have the luxury of playing the second leg of the last-16 at home,” Deco said.
”We need to play with seriousness and personality in order to win the game.”
