Fluminense loses two players to Libertadores

O Fluminense will have two problems for the first two games of the Libertadores in 2024. Due to expulsions in the Recopa Sul-Americana titleTricolor will not have John Kennedy and Diogo Barbosa against Alianza Lima (3/4) and Colo-Colo (3/4).

Conmebol suspended two games for both players. John Kennedy was on the field and left Tricolor with one less, while Diogo Barbosa ended up being sent off on the bench.

A fine of US$8,000 was also imposed for the left-back’s expulsion. Fluminense can appeal to Conmebol to avoid paying the sanctions, but not the punishment. Both expulsions were direct — and John Kennedy is a repeat offender.

Why were the duo expelled at Recopa?

• John Kennedy stepped on Zambrano, an LDU defender, in a dispute for the ball in attack after the Fluminense scored 1-0 in the Recopa;
• The play was not even reviewed by VAR, as referee Facundo Tello’s on-field decision was considered correct;
• John Kennedy returned from automatic suspension after being sent off in the Libertadores final while celebrating Fluminense’s title-winning goal;
• Diogo Barbosa was sent off for complaining on the bench after a harsh foul by LDU;
• Fluminense’s left-back was involved in a scramble between the two benches, in which assistant coach Adrián Gabbarini, who commanded LDU on the sidelines in the coach’s absence, also received a red card.

Fluminense has doubts for the Libertadores

With five players still out of action, Fluminense has doubts about their debut in the Libertadores. See the list.

• Paulo Henrique Ganso: makes transition with the ball. He should be released for training with the group this week;
• Germán Cano: makes physical transition without the ball. He could be released for training with the group this week;
• Douglas Costa: makes physical transition without the ball. He has a chance of being released for training with the group this week;
• Marlon: has an injury to his right knee and is undergoing treatment in the medical department;
• Keno: has an injury to his left ankle and is undergoing treatment in the medical department.

When will Fluminense debut in the Libertadores?

Fluminense’s debut in the Libertadores is scheduled for next Wednesday (3). Top seed in Group A for being the current champion of the competition, Flu debuts away from home. Tricolor travels to Peru, where they face Alianza Lima, in the country’s capital, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time).

Group A of the Libertadores still has Cerro Porteño and Colo-Colo. Fluminense sees the group as accessible due to logistics, but avoids favoritism in the key. Internally, the club celebrated not having long trips — the longest is precisely the first, to Lima — and that he will not play at altitude in this phase of the Libertadores.

Which games will the duo lose in the Libertadores?

• Alianza Lima x Fluminense – Libertadores – Matute, Lima – Wednesday, April 3 – 9:30 pm (Brasília time)
• Fluminense x Colo-Colo – Libertadores – Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro – Tuesday, April 9th ​​– 9pm (Brasília time)