The countdown for Velez begins. There are less than 48 hours left for the most important challenge of the year: the semifinals with Flamengo from Brazil, this Wednesday the first leg in Liniers, starting at 21:30, and on 7 September at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

Non-stop, the team trained on Monday morning and then coach Alexander Medina held a press conference in which he excluded Uruguayan Diego Godín among the concentrates, suggesting that Santiago Cáseres will be the replacement for Máximo Perrone, who suffered one pneumothorax after the match with Sarmiento and made it clear that his team is on point but can jump to the bench.

“History has given enough evidence of when the team that – in theory – comes with the least chance ends up winning a series. We know the type of rival we face, but also our strengths, “said the Velez coach.

“Without a doubt I have the team, we have worked on it even though there are two days left to continue working on the field. We know what we have to do and we have full confidence in these players, “said Cacique and added on the midfield lineup:” Everyone is competing for a place, but Santiago (Cáseres) has grown a lot in recent times. It is a possibility that he will play. In any case, I will give the team on Wednesday. “

The Uruguayan coach underlined the importance of the most experienced players in this type of competition: “Lucas Pratto and Diego Godín are the ones who have the most experience in this type of match, they know what it means to play them. Pratto provides calm and I have no doubt that this Cup is very important to him. We need the best version of him that I know he can do. “

The Uruguayan defender, however, will not even be on the bench: “He needs a little more time to recover,” said Medina. Godín, 36, has not played since August 6 (1-2 against Unión in Santa Fe) and has missed the last five games due to a series of muscle problems.

The Vélez management will have a response between this Monday and Tuesday regarding the request to enable a sector of the Platea Sur Alta. In this case, the partners who have not managed to obtain the ticket (already sold out), will have around 4,500 more tickets available. José Amalfitani will have a frame from Copa Libertadores. “People are very important to the team, they are just another player. This has been proven against River and Talleres because they have supported us since we got to the stadium. The Vélez fan is largely responsible for having passed those stages. Thank you for your constant support and we will certainly meet on Wednesday to organize a great show, “Medina stressed.

As for Flamengo, Cacique knows that Giorgian de Arrascaeta is a key figure but not the only one. He is a decisive player, both for assisting and for scoring. He is one of the best players Flamengo has today. We know where he goes when it comes to developing football, but there are other players to watch out for. “