Fluminensevs.Juventude

Last week's 3-2 defeat ended Flu's run of wins under Mano Menezes, but scoring twice means the tie is far from done heading into the reverse meeting.

Match preview

After a succession of 1-0 victories, Fluminense were finally beaten under Menezes as they fell 3-2 in Rio Grande do Sul.

Despite scoring twice in a game in all competitions for the first time since beating Alianza Lima 3-2 in the Copa Libertadores, conceding three means Flu must chase the tie on home soil.

The home support can count on the team's improvement since the managerial change, even if the team has been built to give little away and rely on snatching one at the other end under Menezes.

It remains to be seen if that approach secures Tricolor a spot in the last eight as they seek to keep a third straight clean sheet at home in all competitions.

Having recovered from last week's first-leg defeat to beat Bahia 1-0 over the weekend, the 2007 cup champions seek another victory to book a quarter-final spot.

Another marginal win will not cause a turnaround, but only force a penalty shootout, an outcome Juventude aim to avoid at the Maracana.

Goals from Lucas Barbosa, Rodrigo Sam and Diego Goncalves meant Verdao responded to the third-minute concession to Vinicius Lima's early strike.

However, Thiago Santos scoring in the game's closing stages to halve Fluminense's deficit means Jair Ventura's men head into Wednesday's match with a one-goal lead and not two.

They defeated Internacional away from home in the previous round, and a repeat for Juventude will secure passage into the competition's last eight.

Having not tasted success in the domestic cup since 1999 — the club's only Copa do Brasil triumph — advancing at Fluminense's expense means Verdao will start to hope this is their year.

Fluminense Copa do Brasil form:

Fluminense form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

L

W

Juventude Copa do Brasil form:

W

D

W

Juventude form (all competitions):

D

D

L

L

W

D

Team News

Fluminense will be without Marquinhos (thigh), Nonato (ankle), German Cano (foot) and David Terans (calf) for the reverse fixture.

It remains to be seen if Thiago Silva, given a rest in last week's first leg, is played from the off or given another breather after playing 90 minutes in the league win over Bahia.

Kaua Elias may have fired blanks in the reverse fixture, but the forward whose goals have decided recent wins against Cuiaba, Bragantino and Bahia could be pivotal on Wednesday night.

Alan Ruschel was suspended for violent conduct against Internacional in the previous round and the defender is still ruled out.

Joao Lucas and Kleiton are not expected back for a few more weeks while severe knee injuries sustained by Daniel Peixoto and Caique Goncalves should be season-ending.

Jean Carlos and Thiaguinho went off injured against Corinthians over the weekend, making the pair doubtful for this week's cup tie.

Fluminense possible starting lineup:

Fabio; Guga, Carlos, Santos, Barbosa; Martinelli, Andre; Arias, Ganso, Serna; Elias

Juventude possible starting lineup:

Vasconcelos; Ewerton, Boza, Marcos, Freitas; Jadson, Mandaca; Barbosa, Nene, Farias; Carrillo

We say: Fluminense 2-0 Juventude (Fluminense win 4-3 on aggregate)

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