Botafogo está de voltas na Libertadores após sete anos de absentia e farápixbet grátis 12reestreia na competição continental nesta quarta-feira 🛡 (3), às 19h, no Estádio Nilton Santos, when facing Junior Barranquilla. This will be the first meeting between the two 🛡 teams.
The last time Botafogo played in the Libertadores was in 2024, when they reached the round of 16. They qualified 🛡 for this year's competition after defeating Colo-Colo and Olímpia in the qualifying rounds. In that year's group stage, they were 🛡 eliminated in a group that included Atlético Nacional (COL), Estudiantes (ARG), and Barcelona (ECU).
Since then, a lot has changed for 🛡 Botafogo. Since 2024, the club's football operations have been managed by John Textor, the majority shareholder of SAF. They have 🛡 also improved their organization and made significant investments in player transfers and infrastructure.
To reach this Libertadores, Botafogo had to go 🛡 through the Pré-Libertadores after losing their spot in the G4 due to a poor performance in the previous season's Brazilian 🛡 Championship. They eliminated Aurora (BOL) with a score of 7-1 and Red Bull Bragantino in two exciting matches with a 🛡 3-2 aggregate.
This game will mark Fábio Matias' last game as interim coach of the team. He will continue working with 🛡 the club as an assistant to Artur Jorge, who is rumored to be announced as the new coach soon.
Botafogo will 🛡 be without Damián Suárez, who was expelled in the second game against Bragantino. Pablo, who is still recovering from a 🛡 muscle injury, will also miss the game. However, Patrick de Paula, Jeffinho, and Luiz Henrique have recovered from their injuries 🛡 and played against Boavista last Sunday.
Possible lineups:
BOTAFOGO
Gatito Fernández; Mateo Ponte (Rafael), Lucas Halter, Alexander Barboza, Marçal; Danilo Barbosa, Marlon Freitas, 🛡 Eduardo; Júnior Santos, Savarino, Tiquinho Soares. Coach: Fábio Matias.
Absences: Pablo (injured), Damián Suárez (suspended).
JUNIOR BARRANQUILLA
Santiago Mele; Gabriel Fuentes, Jermein Peña, 🛡 Brayan Ceballos, Walmer Pacheco; Didier Moreno, Víctor Cantillo, Deiber Caicedo, José Enamorado; Yimmi Chará, Carlos Bacca. Coach: Arturo Reyes.
With the 🛡 Libertadores return, Botafogo hopes to repeat the success they had in 2024 and make it far in the competition. The 🛡 game will be a tough one, as Junior Barranquilla is a tough opponent, but the home team will have the 🛡 support of their fans at the Nilton Santos Stadium.