The Copa Libertadores quarter-finals begin on Tuesday, with Colo-Colo welcoming River Plate to Estadio Monumental David Arellano for the opening leg of that tie. Entering the Libertadores knockout phase on a five-match winless run was not the ideal momentum Colo-Colo were hoping for in their first knockout stage appearance at this tournament since 2018. Fortunately, Jorge Almiron's men came through with a pair of one-goal victories, including their first away triumph in the competition this year the last time out (2-1). On Tuesday, they have an opportunity to win a quarter-final match in this competition for the first time since defeating Universidad Catolica 3-1 in 1997 and advancing into the next round 4-3 on aggregate. They have not found the back of the net at this stage of the Libertadores this century, losing both of their quarter-final fixtures against Palmeiras in 2018. On Tuesday, Eterno Campeon are in danger of suffering two successive competitive defeats for the first time since April of this year (three).

River Plate Looking to Continue Dominance

Marcelo Gallardo's men have won their last four matches at this tournament and are unbeaten across all competitions in their previous nine games. This week, they will make their first quarter-final appearance at this tournament since 2021, while they have not made it beyond this stage since 2020 (semi-finals). Three of their victories in the tournament this year were away from home, including a 1-0 triumph over Talleres Cordoba in the previous round. To this point of the Copa Libertadores, River Plate have yet to lose when scoring the opening goal, dropping points in only one instance in that scenario (2-2 draw versus Nacional). Los Millonarios have won their last four Libertadores fixtures versus Colo-Colo and are unbeaten at home against them in this competition, posting a 4-0 victory the last time out in 2022.

Team News and Injuries

Do not expect to see Vicente Pizarro in the Colo-Colo squad by Tuesday, as the Chilean midfielder is dealing with a broken jaw, while Cesar Fuentes may be a few weeks away from making a full recovery after suffering a cruciate ligament tear in March. On the River Plate side, Rodrigo Aliendro is dealing with a shoulder issue that will likely keep him sidelined until late October, and Pity Martinez is expected to return from a cruciate ligament tear in the middle of next month.

Tactical Battleground: Colo-Colo's Home Advantage vs River Plate's Resilience

Colo-Colo are in fine form at home, winning seven consecutive matches across all competitions at Estadio Monumental David Arellano. In the last 16, the Argentines were pushed hard by a resolute defensive unit, but in the end, they maintained their unbeaten form at the Libertadores this year. River Plate have not been affected by opposing crowds so far, and we believe their patience and resolute defending will frustrate Colo-Colo. The Chileans will be desperate to have an advantage heading to Argentina, which could create an opening for the visitors to strike and steal a victory.

Key Players to Watch

Colo-Colo

• Cristian Zavala: The Colo Colo midfielder is one of the most important figures for the team, looking to continue his development and continue to show that he is one of the best in his position. The Chilean begins a new season of the 2024 Copa Libertadores after a good last season, where the team had a good year. In that season, Zavala contributed 15 goals and 6 assists in 31 games. Now, his main objective is to establish himself as an important piece of the capital team's forward line and continue to show the great level of last season. At the moment he has 3 goals and 7 assists in 5 games played, becoming the team's top offensive reference.

• Maximiliano Falcón: A key defender for Colo Colo, Falcón brings experience and leadership to the backline. His ability to read the game and make crucial interceptions will be vital against River Plate's attacking prowess.

River Plate

• Miguel Borja: The River striker started a new campaign looking to continue showing that he is one of the best strikers in Argentina. Borja is one of the key pieces for River Plate to be where it is. During the Binance 2022 Tournament he scored 2 goals in 4 games played. This is one of the recent additions to the team, he comes from Colón and will seek to replace Lucas Beltrán, after he left for Manchester City, which is why the striker seeks to continue demonstrating his great level and try to attract the attention of the national team for future competitions. At the moment he has 8 goals and 2 assists.

• Claudio Echeverri: A young and talented attacking midfielder, Echeverri has the potential to unlock defenses with his creativity and dribbling skills. His ability to create scoring chances will be a crucial asset for River Plate.

Estadio Monumental David Arellano: A Historic Venue

The Estadio Monumental David Arellano located in the city of Macul, Chile will be the venue for this duel between two teams that are looking to continue their 2024 Copa Libertadores season in good shape. This stadium has a capacity for 47,000 fans and was inaugurated in 1975.

Prediction

This match promises to be a tight and tense affair, with both teams capable of causing damage on the counter-attack. We predict that Colo-Colo will edge out River Plate in a narrow victory, but The Argentines will likely come back strong in the second leg.

Final Thoughts

The Copa Libertadores quarter-finals are always a thrilling stage of the competition, and this clash between Colo-Colo and River Plate is sure to be no exception. The rivalry between these two clubs is fierce, and the atmosphere at Estadio Monumental David Arellano is sure to be electric. This is a clash that should be on every football fan's radar, and we're looking forward to seeing how it unfolds.