The atigrados have the advantage of the 0-0 draw they achieved in the first leg in Quito. Despite this, the coaches agreed that the key is open. The Catholics closed practice in Tembladerani yesterday.
The Strongest players described tonight's match against Universidad Católica of Ecuador at the Hernando Siles stadium as "the match of the year" (20:30), in which the Achumani team will be looking for the three million dollar prize for entering the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
To achieve their objective, the atigrados need a victory, no matter the score, after the first leg, played last week in Quito, they drew 0-0.
The Ecuadorians have the same chances, as they are obliged to win, since a draw will force the match to be decided by penalty kicks.
The Achumani tigers assured that they are focused on the duel despite the defeat in the local tournament against Bolívar, their traditional rival, and are only thinking about getting the three points.
Coach Cristian Díaz will not be able to count on two important players, Cristian Esparza and Martín Prost, both due to expulsion. Their replacements will be Henry Vaca and Jaime Arrascaita. In addition, according to what was seen at the end of training sessions, Diego Wayar will be used as right fullback, as he did in the rematch of the previous phase against Plaza Colonia.
"The key is open... We know their strengths and weaknesses, so we will try to play a great game in search of qualification. We are facing a great team, we must not get our message and our emotional preparation wrong," said the Argentine coach at a press conference yesterday.
He pointed out that his side has to keep its feet on the ground. "We are facing a very good and very nice opportunity for the club in the institutional and economic issue," he remarked.
The paceños are concentrated in their complex in the South zone of La Paz and the day before they closed their preparations.
The Catholic team arrived in the country on Monday night and the day before had the opportunity to work at the Bolivar club's field in Tembladerani.
"A couple of players have yet to be defined.... We have seen the classic and the matches played against Plaza Colonia. We know that it will be a difficult match against a quality team", said coach Miguel Rondelli.
He considers that in spite of the casualties that the atigrados suffered, the local team has a team to respect.
"We will play our game, the key is open. I don't think they will attack from the start because they know that we are dangerous on the counter-attack", said the coach from Rio de Janeiro.
The Ecuadorian absentees are Darwin Cuero and José Carabalí, both ended up with injuries after the duel at the Atahualpa stadium, but the goalkeeper arrived in Bolivia.
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