Fluminense Set to Face Independiente Rivadavia in Libertadores Round of 16
Fluminense will take to the pitch this Tuesday, November 11, at the Maracanã Stadium at 7 p.m. Brasília time, as they challenge Independiente Rivadavia in the first leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores Round of 16.
The return leg is scheduled for the following Tuesday, November 18, at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, also at 7 p.m.
Due to having the weakest overall campaign in the group stage, the Tricolor das Laranjeiras will play the second leg away from home through the semifinals. The final of the 2026 Libertadores, which will be a single-match event, is set for November 28 at Estadio Centenario in Uruguay.
Heading into the match, Coach Luis Zubeldía faces increasing pressure following a string of disappointing performances since the team’s return from the cup break. Fluminense remains winless after the 2026 Club World Cup, recording five draws and one loss, and was recently eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by rivals Vasco with results of 0-0 and 1-3.
In contrast to their last match—a 1-1 draw with Botafogo when a reserve squad was used—Zubeldía has decided to reinstate key players Guga, Thiago Silva, Guilherme Arana, Hércules, Martinelli, and Hulk, replacing Samuel Xavier, Jemmes, Renê, Otávio, PH Ganso, and Serna, respectively.
📋 Check out Fluminense’s lineup
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Fluminense take the field this Tuesday (11) at the Maracanã at 7 p.m. (Brasília time) to face Independiente Rivadavia in the first leg of the 2026 Conmebol Libertadores Round of 16.
The return leg will be next Tuesday (18) at Estádio Malvinas Argentinas, at the same time.
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Also, because they had the worst overall campaign in the group stage, the Tricolor das Laranjeiras will always play the second leg away from home through the semifinals.
The 2026 Libertadores final — once again a single-match final — is scheduled for November 28 at Estadio Centenario in Uruguay.
Coach Luis Zubeldía heads into the match under pressure due to disappointing results since the team returned from the cup break.
The team still has not won since returning from the 2026 Club World Cup (5 draws and 1 loss) and, to make matters worse, was eliminated from the Copa do Brasil by rivals Vasco (0-0 and 1-3).
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Compared to the last match (a 1-1 draw with Botafogo), when he fielded a reserve side, the Argentine coach opted to bring in Guga, Thiago Silva, Guilherme Arana, Hércules, Martinelli, and Hulk in place of Samuel Xavier, Jemmes, Renê, Otávio, PH Ganso, and Serna, respectively, for Fluminense.
📋 Check out Fluminense’s lineup
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
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