Palermo’s Platense test Fluminense’s strong run without Canobbio

Fluminense’s unbeaten start under Marcão faces its biggest continental test yet when Atlético Platense visit the Maracanã for a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal. The Brazilian side has not lost since Marcão replaced Luis Zubeldía in August, recording three wins and two draws in five matches.

That run has lifted Fluminense into fourth place in the Brazilian league. The team also won a difficult derby against Vasco da Gama on Saturday, secured by a single goal from Argentine forward Lucho Acosta. But Marcão will be without Agustín Canobbio, one of the squad’s main attacking players, after the Uruguayan was sent off in the tense second leg against Independiente Rivadavia, which Fluminense won on penalties.

Colombian attacker Kevin Serna is the leading candidate to replace Canobbio. Marcão, who spent most of his career in Fluminense’s youth system, could also welcome back two expected starters. Defender Thiago Silva and midfielder Hércules trained normally on Sunday after knee problems and are available. Their returns would likely send Colombian centre-back Julián Millán and midfielder Nonato back to the bench.

Platense are trying to break another barrier. In their first appearance in the Libertadores, El Calamar have already reached the final eight. They survived a demanding group containing Corinthians, Peñarol and Independiente Santa Fe, then eliminated Coquimbo Unido after two draws and a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Juan Pablo Cozzani became the hero of that qualification.

Martín Palermo, the former Boca Juniors striker who also played for Villarreal, Real Betis and Deportivo Alavés, has coached Platense since August. As a Boca player, he faced Fluminense in the 2008 semifinals and lost. Now he will try to make history from the bench, even as Platense struggle domestically. Using a reserve-heavy lineup with several injured players, the team drew 1-1 at home with Deportivo Riestra on Friday and sits 12th in a 15-team Group A in Argentina’s Clausura.