Key keywords: Palmeiras starting lineup May 28, Junior Barranquilla Copa Libertadores fixture, Palmeiras confirmed absences 2024, Abel Ferreira match squad, Palmeiras injury updates, Copa Libertadores Group Stage 2024, Palmeiras vs Junior Barranquilla, Palmeiras Group C standing Ahead of the highly anticipated Group C Copa Libertadores fixture hosted at Allianz Parque on May 28, 2024, Palmeiras head coach Abel Ferreira has officially confirmed the team’s starting XI and list of absences for the match against Colombian side Junior Barranquilla. Palmeiras currently sits at the top of Group C with 12 points from 4 matches, and only needs a single point from this fixture to lock in the first-place finish and guaranteed home-field advantage for the first knockout round of the tournament, while Junior Barranquilla sits third with 6 points, needing a win to keep their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage alive. The confirmed starting lineup for Palmeiras features a full-strength core, with Weverton starting in goal. The back line will be anchored by captain Gustavo Gómez alongside Murilo at center back, with Marcos Rocha on the right flank and Joaquín Piquerez on the left, a combination that has conceded just 2 goals in their last 7 home matches across all competitions. In the midfield, Zé Rafael and Richard Ríos will take on defensive and transition responsibilities, covering for suspended first-choice holding midfielder Jhon Jhon, while Raphael Veiga will operate as the attacking playmaker, coming off a run of 2 goals and 3 assists in his last 3 Libertadores appearances. The front line will feature 17-year-old starlet Endrick, who is set to join Real Madrid this summer, alongside veteran wingers Rony and Dudu, who have combined for 11 goals in continental competition this season. On the absences front, the most notable loss is Jhon Jhon, who picked up his second yellow card of the group stage in Palmeiras’ last away match against Bolivar, forcing him to sit out this fixture. Attacking winger Artur is also ruled out with a left hamstring strain sustained in a recent Campeonato Brasileiro match against Flamengo, and is expected to return to training in 10 days. Rotation midfielder Danilo Barbosa remains sidelined as he recovers from ACL surgery, with an expected return date in mid-July, while young forward Kevin has been called up to the Brazilian U-20 national team for a friendly tournament and will not be available for selection. Ferreira noted in his pre-match press conference that the team will prioritize securing the three points rather than settling for a draw, stating that finishing top of the group will give Palmeiras a critical edge in the later stages of the Libertadores, where away matches are notoriously difficult to win. He also highlighted that the team has prepared specifically for Junior Barranquilla’s counter-attacking style, with a focus on limiting space for veteran striker Carlos Bacca, who has scored 4 goals in the group stage so far.