Player News for Copa Libertadores Games

May 6, 2026, 17:46

Introduction

Two football games are coming soon. Some players are sick or hurt. The teams must change their plans.

Main Body

Cruzeiro plays Universidad Católica. Two attackers, Bruno Rodrigues and Marquinhos, cannot play. They have leg injuries. But Fagner is back. He will help the defense. This game is very important. Three teams have the same points in Group D. Cruzeiro wants to win. Flamengo plays Independiente Medellín. Flamengo has many problems. Four players cannot play because of injuries or rules. They are Pulgar, Arrascaeta, Paquetá, and Carrascal. Independiente Medellín lost their last game. Flamengo had a draw in their last game.

Conclusion

The coaches must find a way to win without their best players.

Learning

⚡ THE 'CANNOT' PATTERN

In this text, we see a very useful way to say someone is unable to do something:

Cannot = Can not

Two attackers... cannot play.
Four players cannot play...

How to use it for A2: Use this when a person is sick, hurt, or doesn't have permission.

Quick Examples:

I am sick $\rightarrow$ I cannot go to school.
He has a broken leg $\rightarrow$ He cannot run.
No money $\rightarrow$ I cannot buy the ticket.

💡 WORD ALERT: 'BACK'

Look at this sentence: "But Fagner is back."

In A2 English, back doesn't just mean the part of your body. Here, it means returned.

He was hurt $\rightarrow$ Now he is back (He is playing again).
She was on vacation $\rightarrow$ Now she is back (She is at home/work).

Vocabulary Learning

players (n.)

people who play a sport

Example:The players practiced every day.

sick (adj.)

not feeling well

Example:She was sick and stayed home.

hurt (adj.)

injured or in pain

Example:He was hurt after the fall.

teams (n.)

groups that compete together

Example:The teams met at the stadium.

change (v.)

to make something different

Example:They will change the schedule.

plans (n.)

ideas for future actions

Example:They made new plans for the game.

attackers (n.)

players who try to score goals

Example:The attackers ran fast.

cannot (modal verb)

not able to

Example:She cannot play because she is sick.

play (v.)

to participate in a game

Example:They will play tomorrow.

injuries (n.)

damages to the body

Example:The injuries made him stop.

defense (n.)

the part of a team that stops the other team from scoring

Example:The defense kept the ball away.

important (adj.)

very necessary or significant

Example:It is important to practice.