The atigrados are giving priority to the Copa Libertadores and will field an alternate team for the 289th superclásico.
The Strongest and Bolívar will face each other tonight (19:00) in Bolivia's 289th superclassic with different realities. El Tigre can even afford the luxury of losing on this day and their fans will be patient, as the acid test will be on Thursday for the Copa Libertadores. On the other hand, for the Academia it is win or win because they have had more rest, will play with their full starting line-up and will try to win a derby after more than two years.
It is no secret that the atigrados are focused on the rematch with Universidad Católica of Ecuador on Thursday and on the million-dollar income (4,100,000 dollars) that they will get if they reach the group stage, an amount that could save the budget that their management has planned for the rest of the year.
The sky-blue team has the heavy burden of getting a victory on its shoulders, since its supporters were not satisfied with the elimination of the team in phase 2 of the Copa Libertadores and its return to the local competition was not as desired because it comes from a draw with Real Tomayapo to one goal per side, in Tarija.
Both teams are second in their respective groups. The Aurinegros accumulate 11 points in series A and the Bolivaristas 10 in group B. Whichever team wins will have regained first place and will be in a strong position to qualify for the final phase of the Apertura.
Who is the favorite?
When it comes to this kind of match, all previous encounters are left aside, since the famous phrase "in the classic there are no favorites" takes on its value and there are plenty of examples in the extensive history of the traditional clash, although it can be mentioned that on this occasion the candidate to win is Bolivar.
The sky-blue team did not move during the whole week in La Paz and they are focused only on the local competition. Coach Antonio Carlos Zago has his entire first-team squad at his disposal, while the atigrados will field an alternate team as their priority is the international tournament.
The teams
As Martín Prost and Cristian Esparza were expelled and have pending suspension in the Copa, both will lead the attack of the Tigre de Achumani. Then the changes that DT Cristian Díaz will make will be in all sectors, even in the goal where Johan Gutiérrez may appear in place of Guillermo Viscarra who is not in the fullness of his conditions due to a muscular contracture.
In Bolívar, the only doubt is that of Diego Bejarano, who is suffering from fatigue in one of his legs. If the player from Santa Cruz does not recover, his place could be taken by youth player Yomar Rocha, who would occupy the U-20 place.
The practice sessions of the classic rivals were different. The Strongest did it yesterday morning at its complex in the Achumani area and at the end the players talked to the press. Bolivar went to Villa el Sol, "behind closed doors", and without contact with the media.
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