The first leg at Estadio Deportivo Cali was closely fought as both sides went hard at each other, but couldn't find the breakthrough and the match ended in a goalless draw.
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Melgar will host Deportivo Cali in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana last-16 fixture at Estadio Monumental on Wednesday night. The first leg last week ended in a goalless draw. The hosts followed that with another 0-0 draw in the domestic league and the Preuvian outfit would be hoping to snatch a victory in front of their own fans and move to the last-8 of the competition. The first leg at Estadio Deportivo Cali was closely fought as both sides went hard at each other. In the end, Deportivo finished the game with nine men as Carlos Gonzalez and Daniel Garcia received red cards.
Melgar have been in very impressive form winning five of their last seven games across all competitions. Meanwhile the Preuvian club is yet to concede a goal since a 2-1 win over Cuiaba in the Sudamericana fixture on May 26. Melgar are currently placed top of the Primera Division, having won 13 of their 18 games so far. El Domino have lost only three league games so far and are aiming to replicate their domestic success in the continental stage and earn a place in the quarter-finals.
Deportivo Cali, on the other hand, wil be without Garcia and Gonzalez, both being suspended for this match after receiving red cards in the opening leg. Both of those men had come off the bench and failed to finish the match. Head coach Rafael Dudamel would want his team to be a bit more disciplined on Wednesday.
Melgar’s strength has been their solid defense and head coach Nestor Lorenzo is likely to stick with the same back four that has been keeping consecutive clean sheets in the last couple of games. Galeano and Reyna would form the centre-back partnership with Ramos and Ortman deployed as full-back’s. As for Deportivo Cali, Luna and Lucumi would both be unavailable because of red card suspension. Angelo Rodriguez will lead the attack with Gonzalez, Teo and Mosquera in support.
Melgar probable starting lineup: Caceda; Ramos, Galeano, Reyna, Ortman; Arias, Orzan; Iberico, Tandazo, Bordacahar; Guedes.
Deportivo Cali probable starting lineup: De Amores; Gutierrez, Burdisso, Mera, Bonilla; Caicedo, Robles; Gonzalez, Teo, Mosquera; Rodriguez.
The Copa Sudamericana round of 16 match between Melgar and Deportivo Cali will take place at Estadio Monumental and it will kickoff at 6:00 am IST on July 7, Thursday.
| Melgar vs Deportivo Cali | Key details |
| Date | July 6 (Peru) |
| Venue | Estadio Monumental |
| Kickoff time in Peru | 7:30 pm |
| Kickoff time in Colombia | 7:30 pm |
The football fans in Peru can catch the live action of Copa Sudamericana fixtures on DirecTV Sports App, ESPN . Meanwhile for those in Colombia, live telecast is available on DIRECTV Sports App, Star +, ESPN2, directvsports.com.
