Juventude Vs Atlético-MG reaches its decisive night on Tuesday at Alfredo Jaconi, where the second leg will settle who moves into the Copa do Brasil quarterfinals. Kickoff is set for 19h30, and after the 0-0 first leg at Arena MRV, another draw would push the tie to penalties.
That is why the match matters now: the winner takes the place in the next round and the R$ 4 million that comes with it. For Juventude, the return of Rodrigo Sam is a boost, but Messias remains a doubt, Mandaca is still a concern after lasting less than 30 minutes against Atlético-MG, and Aderlan is available despite leaving early in the previous match. Allanzinho is out with an LCA injury in his left knee, while Luan Martins and Maurício Barbieri are among the suspended or cautioned personnel.
The numbers at home give Juventude a platform. It has suffered only two defeats at Alfredo Jaconi this season and has finished without conceding in 51% of its matches in the year. Atlético-MG, though, arrives needing a result after failing to threaten Juventude in the first leg and after managing six victories in 21 away matches this season.
There are also changes on the other side. Cissé is back from suspension for Atlético-MG, while Dudu is expected to start on the bench. Léo Duarte, Patrick and Índio are out through injury, leaving fewer options if the match opens up late. The referee is Flavio Rodrigues de Souza, and Amazon Prime will carry the game.
The pressure on Atlético-MG is not just about survival in this tie. Qualification would preserve its path toward a place in Libertadores de 2027, which makes a scoreless first leg feel like a missed opening rather than a shared advantage. In Caxias do Sul, that leaves one club protecting a strong home record and the other trying to force a result before penalties decide everything.
