Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

Preview: Melgar vs. Internacional - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 2 August 2022, 05:56
After a stunning comeback in the last 16, Brazilian heavyweights Internacional take on Peru's Melgar in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamericana on Thursday.

While both sides cruised through the group stage, negotiating the first knockout round proved a tougher task, and they now meet for the first leg of their last-eight tie at Estadio Monumental de la UNSA.

Match preview

Trailing by two goals following the first leg in Santiago, the prospects of Internacional reaching the Copa Sudamericana quarters looked slim as they welcomed Colo Colo to Estadio Beira-Rio last month, and when they went further behind in the 15th minute it seemed they were heading for elimination.

Summoning up some resilience, though, Inter fought back to reduce their deficit to one by half time, and Pedro Henrique's 74th-minute strike eventually secured a remarkable 4-3 aggregate victory over the Chilean club.

Head coach Mano Menezes, who was appointed in April, has since steered his side to a run of just one defeat in seven games - a 2-1 Campeonato Brasileiro loss to league leaders Palmeiras.

Following a 3-0 win over reigning champions Atletico Mineiro on Sunday, where Inter gave up most of the ball but were ruthlessly efficient on the counter, the Porto Alegre side sit sixth in the Serie A table; just a point adrift of the top four.

Though they ultimately seek a return to the Copa Libertadores via a high league finish, attention now turns to South America's second-tier tournament, which the club last won in 2008.

Having seen his team both lose and draw two of their four most recent away matches, though, former Brazil boss Menezes will now be aiming for a win on Thursday, to take a lead back to Brazil.

However, Melgar may prove a tough nut to crack in their home city of Arequipa, as they have won all four of their fixtures there during this season's Copa Sudamericana campaign.

After a goalless draw in the first leg of their last-16 tie, Pablo Lavallen's side posted another victory in front of their own fans by beating Colombia's Deportivo Cali 2-1 last month, to secure progress to a first-ever continental quarter-final.

Indeed, Los Rojinegros had never reached the knockout rounds before this year, and are relative minnows on such a stage.

Recent winners of the Peruvian Primera Division's Apertura phase, losing only three times in 18 matches, Melgar only occupy sixth spot in the early Clausura standings, but have a game in hand on most teams above them.

Three 1-0 wins from their last four league outings suggests they are primed to host one of South America's biggest names this week, as they aim to keep the quest for silverware alive.

Melgar Copa Sudamericana form:

Melgar form (all competitions):

Internacional Copa Sudamericana form:

Internacional form (all competitions):

Team News

Internacional's hopes of a positive first-leg result have been boosted by the return of captain Taison and his former Shakhtar Donetsk teammate Alan Patrick to full training this week - both could now feature on Thursday.

Mano Menezes had been unable to call upon the attacking duo for nearly a month due to thigh injuries, but their comeback coincides with Mauricio's best performance of the season - the 27-year-old scored twice in the win over Atletico-MG on Sunday, and was named man of the match.

Another option up front will be new signing Braian Romero, who made his debut at the weekend, but Caio remains out of action with an ankle problem.

Melgar, meanwhile, will turn to top goalscorer Bernardo Cuesta to lead the line up front, and the hosts' skipper - who scored both goals against Deportivo Cali in the last round - will be supported by winger Luis Iberico.

Up against challenging opposition, Los Rojiblancos are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation at Estadio Monumental, with former Peru goalkeeper Carlos Caceda providing their last line of defence.

Melgar possible starting lineup:

Caceda; Ramos, Galeano, Deneumostier, Reyna; Arias, Tandazo; Iberico, Guedes, Bordacahar; Cuesta

Internacional possible starting lineup:

Daniel; Bustos, Vitao, Mercado, Rene; Gabriel, Edenilson; Wanderson, Patrick, Henrique; Mauricio

We say: Melgar 0-1 Internacional

Despite some good results of late, Melgar have found the net only five times in their last eight matches, so could find themselves out of their depth against experienced opponents.

Perhaps over-reliant on captain Cuesta, the hosts may be heading to Porto Alegre next week with a deficit to retrieve.

Previews by email

Top News

31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their ninth Bundesliga game of the season, relegation threatened Wolfsburg are set to host Augsburg on Saturday at Volkswagen Arena. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams who have turned a corner of late go head to head in round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season as Fortuna Sittard welcome Heerenveen to the Fortuna Sittard Stadion on Sunday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest will endeavour to win their third consecutive Premier League game when they welcome West Ham United to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In one of two high-profile matches round 11 of the 2024-25 Eredivisie season has to offer, Feyenoord and AZ Alkmaar will do battle at De Kuip on Saturday evening. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both gunning for promotion in their respective divisions, Walsall and Bolton Wanderers will turn their attentions to the FA Cup as they meet for a first-round tie at the Poundland Bescot Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City have received a major injury boost regarding Manuel Akanji, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk La Liga giants Barcelona are monitoring the situation of Rafael Leao at AC Milan, according to a report. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that Bournemouth 'should not abandon their principles' in Saturday's clash with the Premier League champions at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim meet at Holstein-Stadion in Saturday's gameweek nine match in a battle between a host in their first Bundesliga season and an opponent in their second-ever top-flight year. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United interim head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that the Red Devils "can and have to perform better", as he prepares the team for Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruud van Nistelrooy has said that he is expecting to remain at Manchester United as an assistant manager once the club have finalised a deal for Erik ten Hag's long-term replacement. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Securing consecutive wins for the first time since September will be the major objective for Heracles as they entertain the challenge of NAC Breda at the Asito Stadium on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly started to consider other options in the transfer market at left-back, due to the predicted wage demands of Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City manager Steve Cooper is expected to recall several of his first-team stars for Saturday's Premier League clash with Ipswich Town at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ipswich Town could be without as many as 10 players for Saturday's Premier League clash with Leicester City at Portman Road. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Last season's top two in the Championship lock horns at Portman Road for a Premier League clash on Saturday afternoon when Ipswich Town play host to Leicester City. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their first MLS playoff contest at Citi Field since 2022, New York City FC host FC Cincinnati needing a win on Saturday to stay alive in the quest for the cup. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The Premier League have released the shortlist for October's Player of the Month award, with players from clubs up and down the table and all over the pitch included. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Phil Foden is in contention to start for Manchester City in Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Leganes will be aiming to make it three straight wins in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign with a trip to Girona on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Inter Miami can book a place in the second round of the MLS Cup playoffs with a victory over Atlanta United in game two of that series on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland is expected to return to Manchester City's starting lineup for Saturday's Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool expert David Lynch can envisage a captivating battle brewing between Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota for the right to lead the Reds' line when the latter returns from an abdominal injury. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has suggested that four key players could be absent from Saturday's meeting with West Ham United. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has virtually confirmed that he will announce his departure from the club imminently, amid reports that Manchester United have agreed to make him their new manager. 31 October 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Osasuna will be bidding to make it successive victories in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against struggling Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon.