Palmeiras Faces Uphill Battle Against LDU Quito in Libertadores Semifinals

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Palmeiras will host LDU Quito on Thursday night in a critical Copa Libertadores semifinal match, facing a daunting task after a 3-0 loss in the first leg. The Brazilian team must score at least three unanswered goals to qualify for the final, which is scheduled for November 29 in Lima, Peru.

Last week, LDU Quito overwhelmed Palmeiras in the first leg with three goals in the first half, putting them in a commanding position. Despite creating numerous chances, Palmeiras struggled to find the net and enter the match on a three-game winless streak, including a goalless draw against 10-man Cruzeiro on Sunday.

In contrast, LDU Quito enjoyed a weekend off, which could benefit their performance on Thursday. The Ecuadorian side is currently unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions and is riding high after their convincing first-leg victory.

Palmeiras coach Abel Ferreira knows the gravity of the situation. He has won back-to-back Copa Libertadores titles with Palmeiras in 2020 and 2021, and a comeback to turn the tie around will be critical to his legacy. Ferreira has some injury worries but will rely on top scorer Vitor Roque to spearhead the attack. Roque is joined by Jose Lopez, having scored seven times in the tournament and is pivotal in Palmeiras’ quest for goals.

On the other hand, LDU coach Tiago Nunes has orchestrated an impressive run, guiding the team to the semifinals after their 3-0 aggregate victory over São Paulo in the quarterfinals. Nunes prefers an attacking approach, often fielding two forwards, and will look to capitalize on Palmeiras’ vulnerabilities. Key players like Lisandro Alzugaray, who has netted five goals, will be essential for LDU’s chances of scoring.

The stakes are high as both teams aim for a place in the final, but it will take a remarkable effort from Palmeiras to overturn the deficit at home. Match officials expect a tightly contested game, with Palmeiras likely needing to make tactical adjustments to deal with LDU’s strong defense. The first kickoff is set for 8:30 PM local time, with the home crowd at Allianz Parque backing Palmeiras heavily.