Rodrigo Amaral of The Strongest may be suspended from six months to one calendar year.

 The report of the referee Juan Nelio García, who officiated the clásico paceño, states that he sent him off for assaulting the second assistant linesman.

Rodrigo Amaral, who has become The Strongest's most important reinforcement so far this season, being a key player in both the Apertura Professional Division tournament and Copa Libertadores matches, is at risk of suffering a harsh sanction.

The Uruguayan midfielder was sent off in the clásico paceño, according to the report of the referee Juan Nelio García, who reported that the player assaulted the second line assistant (Edwin Paredes).

The aggression allegedly took place after Bolívar's 1-0 win over The Strongest on Monday night at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz.

According to the Disciplinary Code of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), article 73, on aggressions to match officials, states: "The player who was expelled from the field of play for actually and by any means assaulting the match officials will be sanctioned with a suspension of six (6) months to one (1) calendar year provided that the act did not cause physical harm or impediment to the affected player.

Said article adds that "if the aggression causes serious physical harm and impediment to the victim, the sanction shall be increased to two (2) calendar years. If the aggression causes very serious physical harm and impediment to the victim or consists of repeated blows with fists, kicks, headbutts or the use of any instrument, the sanction will be definitive.

In the images of the Tigo Sports broadcast, it can be seen that Amaral first gave a push from behind to the fourth official and then another push from the front, after which he approached and confronted the assistant referee.

At the moment of leaving the melee, the Uruguayan also makes gestures as if to imply that he ran money in the classic.

Article 73 also clarifies other points regarding aggressions against soccer match officials: "These sanctions shall also apply to aggressions made outside the field of play, at halftime or at the conclusion of a soccer match, without the aggressor's expulsion being necessary for this purpose. Attempted or unsuccessful aggression shall be punished with a one to three month suspension".

Pato Rodríguez to Vaca: At his age I already knew how much the Sudamericana and the Recopa weighed

 The academic assured that he did not "canchereó" to the Aurinegros and that the 10 of The Strongest made those comments because he lost.

The day after the Bolivian superclásico, the repercussions do not stop. This Tuesday, Patricio Rodríguez responded to the comments of the Gualdinegro 10 Henry Vaca, who after his team's loss to Bolívar told the academic that "you have to cancherear in the Copa".

"At his age, I already knew how much the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa weighed, both of them. I still don't think he played neither, or I don't know because I have no idea. That's what you have to respect," said Pato, in contact with Futbolmania.

On Monday night, Rodriguez assisted Roberto Carlos Fernandez to score the only goal of the match. He took the reins of his team and was the most influential player of the match.

The dribbles and dribbles of the former Independiente de Avellaneda player were a source of anger for the Atigrados, especially Vaca, who went to look for the Argentine after the final whistle.

On his way out of the Siles, the former Oriente Petrolero player said that Pato should "cancherear" in the Copa Libertadores, a competition from which Bolívar was eliminated in the second round.

"I think he should play in the Copa Libertadores. Pato Rodriguez did not touch the ball in the Libertadores and now he comes to throw rabonas, we should not be shitty as he was today," said Vaca.

In response, Rodríguez assured that the atigrado player made those comments because he lost.

"I understand that journalism takes advantage to grab a guy who is angry because he lost, with not many resources to declare and ends up saying what he said," said the also former teammate of Neymar, in Santos of Brazil.

Pato assured that the rabonas are part of the resources he uses on the field and that they can go well, as on the night of the superclassic, or badly as it happened against Universitario de Vinto, but that does not mean that he has "canchereado" the rival. 

"Cancherear in soccer is when you are winning 4-0, you take it to the corner and you start to boludear and I never did that at any time (...). Respect in soccer, you have to respect, at his age I knew how much the Sudamericana and the Recopa weighed in my hands, you have to respect that", said the midfielder of the Academy.

La Paz Clasico: The Strongest 0 - 1 Bolivar

 The atigrados pressed in the end. They were denied a penalty and came close to equalizing. 

Bolivia's superclassic went to Bolivar. La Academia defeated The Strongest 1-0 last night at the Hernando Siles stadium. They returned to the top of the standings in the B series and ended a three-game drought without beating their traditional rival.

It was an intense, tough match, with a permissive referee who allowed too many hits, in addition to a dubious play at the end that could have changed the history of the game.

El Tigre did not hold anything back, they gave their soccer especially in the second half, which helped the show.

The first half belonged to Bolívar. The light blue team had control of the ball, took the initiative and had the clearest options to make the difference.

Patricio Rodriguez was the driver of the Academy, caused more than one headache with his skill and even got the atigrados off their feet.

The Aurinegros had a glimpse of the rival goal after five minutes, but it was not because of an elaborate play, but because of a complication by Yomar Rocha who played back to Rubén Cordano. The goalkeeper hesitated and put his goal at risk.

Two minutes later, Leonel Justiniano filtered a pass to Bruno Savio, the Brazilian played to Francisco da Costa who shot and smashed the ball against Jhohan Gutiérrez's post.

The Celestes opted for a showy game, tried to come out with the ball under control and the crosses made the home team's last line a lot of work.

At 16', the Tigre arrived with a free kick. Fernando Saucedo took the cross and Prost came close to scoring when Cordano failed to get out of the way.

At 33', Gabriel Villamil came out playing with Savio, crossed for Da Costa, but the Brazilian collided with the goalkeeper.

Five minutes later came the first goal. In a free kick, Rodriguez played with Fernandez who took a shot that beat the goalkeeper of the Decano (1-0).

The Achumani team tried to wake up and take advantage of Cordano's doubts, but without results.

The Celeste's supremacy continued on the field, and the second could have come at 46' in another play, but Rodriguez's shot crashed into the left-hand wall.

In the second half, the Atigrados came out more determined, with Henry Vaca in the 53rd and 55th minutes, but the equalizer was not forthcoming.

The Academy regained control of the game in minute 57 when Rodríguez tried a shot from half distance. A minute later, Justiniano tried to score but the post said no to his effort. At 62' it was Savio's turn and at 64' Fernández came close to the second goal.

At 77', Tigre loosened their grip and came close to equalizing. Jaime Arrascaita made a pass to Trivero, but Cordano saved it.

At 80', Vaca made a great individual play and five minutes later, after another shot by the midfielder, Triverio was stopped by Martins; it was a penalty, but the referee did not take it.

In the end, the Academia ended up defending and could have equalized, but the "atigrados" were unable to score. 

The Strongest - Bolívar, with opposite realities

 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. 

Cochabamba Clasico: Aurora 1 - 0 Wilstermann

  Aurora yesterday enjoyed its first victory of the year in a very special match: the Cochabamba derby against Wilstermann, which it beat 1-0 in the 151st match ever played at the Félix Capriles stadium.

In addition to the three points, the Celeste won the first derby of the year and the gate. A totally rounded and victorious day for the popular team.

Prior to the match, a fight between Aurora and Wilstermann fans at the north end of the stadium sparked flared up between the two sides. The immediate response of the police prevented a major conflict.

The match started with Aurora not giving up looking for Luis Cardenas' goal, while El Rojo did not hold anything back and with Cristian "Pochi" Chavez showed an offensive soccer.

When the match was falling into a pit due to the inaccuracies of both teams, Aurora broke the tie in the 24th minute, when a cross by Leandro Maygua was solved by Denis Pinto, who rose in the middle of the red defense to head the ball in (1-0).

The cold water bucket forced the Aviadores to look for the equalizer, but they could not find the clear shot to breach Agustín Cousillas' goal.

Pinto had another chance at 29' ST to extend the score in favor of the People's Team, but the goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas won the one-on-one.

At 36' PT, Carlos Áñez put on his striker's suit and faced Agustín Cousillas' goal, who stifled the Reds' goal cry.

The figure of Cárdenas began to grow as the sky-blue team turned the field in their favor. After the first goal and until the end of the first half, the red goalkeeper cleared at least four dangerous plays.

In the second half, Aurora and Wilstermann held nothing back. Both went forward ready to kill or die, with the idea of getting the victory. 

 The Celestes were more practical and had several chances to increase the score, such as Jair Torrico's header that Cárdenas cleared with a last-ditch effort.

The entry of Thabiso Brown, an attacker from Lesotho, gave more power to the offense of the popular team, but they lacked effectiveness to breach the opponent's goal.

In desperation, DT Miguel Ponce sent his best players on the field in an attempt to equalize.

Rojo lacked accuracy and tranquility. They were unable to find their footing and in front of a tight defense they were unable to do much damage in the course of the match.

The sky-blue strategist, Francisco Argüello, made a quick reading and decided to take a risk 10 minutes from the end with the entry of two midfielders to close the match.

The risky maneuver put the Celeste fans on edge, as the Reds turned towards Cousillas' goal, although once again the lack of effectiveness and the great work of the goalkeeper sentenced the game in Aurora's favor by 1-0.

The end of the match showed both sides: the light-blue team melted in the center of the field in a single embrace. The reds left chewing on their anger and with the sadness of not getting another good result.

As the Aurora players were leaving for the dressing room, a group of misfits stationed at the south end of the pitch threw firecrackers at the players.

Before the break for the qualifiers for the World Cup Qatar 2022, both teams will have time to adjust details. At the moment, both are out of the qualification zone for the second phase of the Apertura 2022. 

Aurora vs Wilstermann meet in high-voltage valley derby

  The 151st Vallonian classic in history takes center stage this afternoon (15:00) at the Félix Capriles stadium, with light blue and red hearts recalling great feats of the past: Aurora vs. Wilstermann, in search of three points and honor on the sixth date of the Apertura 2022 Tournament.

Today's match will not be just another in the history of the game. Both come to this match with high morale, although their realities are a bit different.

In the case of Aurora, the People's Team has just played two away games and in both of them they only managed one win. They are winless, which is why today the situation looks favorable.

For this objective, the coach Francisco "Pancho" Argüello, DT of the Celeste, has his best element at his disposal, being even that the striker Enzo Maidana is at full strength after overcoming his injury that prevented him from making his debut.

On the other side of the pitch is Wilstermann, who after overcoming stage fright have now gone three games unbeaten, two in the local tournament and another with a 4-0 thrashing of Guabirá in the Copa Sudamericana.

Spirits are high and, on paper, El Rojo is the favorite, although coach Miguel Ponce wants his team to continue to grow but with their feet on the ground.

Wilstermann will have no casualties, but some changes in the eleven are expected.

For today, tickets will be sold from 9:00 am at the stadium and the Aurora complex with the following price scale: preference 60 bolivianos, general 50 and curves 40.

Santa Cruz Clasico: Oriente Petrolero 1 - 2 Blooming

 Brazilian Jefferson Tavares scored the winning goal on Saturday at 93'. The other Celeste goal was scored by Arismendi ('7). Dorrego (73') scored for the refineries, who will have the chance to make amends on Tuesday when they face Royal Pari in the Copa Sudamericana. 

The first official Santa Cruz derby of the year went to Blooming. The Santa Cruz academy won 2-1 in the sixth match of the Apertura tournament. 

Brazilian Jefferson Tavares was the Celeste hero, scoring the winning goal three minutes into stoppage time and it looked like the game would end in a draw.

The team coached by Chilean Rodrigo Venegas reached the top of Group B with this victory. They are now three points ahead of Bolívar, who will face The Strongest on Monday.

Erwin Sanchez had to chew on the defeat and had to leave the field after 66 minutes because he was sent off. 

The DT of the refineries started with an alternate team in order to take care of the starters, although most of them started as substitutes, because next Tuesday they have the revenge match against Royal Pari in the Copa Sudamericana. In that match the qualification to the group stage is at stake.

On the other hand, Venegas gave everything he had. Blooming had 17 brilliant minutes in the first half. In this period they made a difference in the game by virtue of the attitude they imposed against an opponent that at the beginning was imprecise, especially in defense.

Fernando Arismendi's goal after 7 minutes was a reflection of what was happening on the field. Rafinha's free kick to the far post; Abraham Cabrera pivoted and brought the ball down for the Uruguayan striker to open the scoring.

Oriente had a hard time at that moment. Even at 17' they could have conceded a second goal. Tavares was not able to score a goal, after a great pass from Rafinha.

A minute later, the history of the match changed. The goal missed by Ferdy Roca after an assist from full-back Samuel Guzmán was a sign of the refinery's reaction, which in the 36th minute generated the clearest goal when Roca headed again and his shot ended up in the hands of goalkeeper Wilson Quiñónez.

In the second half, 'Platiní' Sanchez was forced to put on the starters in order to pull out the game. Hugo Dorrego, Alexis Ribera and Facundo Suárez came on. The changes were noticeable in the Albiverde game because they had more of the ball and grew in dynamics.

Blooming slowed down in this stretch. The wear and tear began to take its toll, although it never gave up. Venegas had to make changes to refresh his team. Clody Menacho, Paúl Arano and Darlan Noronha came on.

Oriente's best moment came when Dorrego scored the equalizer at 73' thanks to an assist from Facundo Suárez.

The 1-1 draw was emotional, especially for the albiverdes fans, who enjoyed the Argentine striker's goal and suffered in the final minutes when Junior Sánchez gave a masterful pass to Taváres, who, in front of Uraezaña, scored with the serenity and effectiveness of an experienced striker.

Oriente Petrolero-Blooming, a duel between two archrivals seeking the summit

 The match, which corresponds to the sixth date of the Apertura tournament, will be played this Saturday from 20:00 at the Tahuichi Aguilera stadium. At 15:00 two matches will be played: Palmaflor-FC Universitario and Real Santa Cruz-Always Ready.

The stellar match of the three that will be played this Saturday for the sixth date of the Apertura tournament is the one between Oriente Petrolero and Blooming at the Tahuichi Aguilera stadium at 20:00.

Both teams will face this match not only with the objective of defeating their old rival but also to reach the top of their respective groups.

Oriente is third in 'A' with nine points, two less than the leader, The Strongest. If they win, they have a chance of reaching the top.

Blooming shares the lead with Bolívar in Group B. Both have 10 points. A win could consolidate the sky-blue team in their series.

 Erwin 'Platiní' Sánchez has no casualties to face this match. The DT of the refineries said that he will keep the same game plan that the team has used in the last five home and away games, so he expects his players to ratify the good moment they are going through with a victory.

Rodrigo Venegas has only one absentee, midfielder Julio Herrera. The candidates to replace him are Juan Ferrufino and Rafinha. The academy's coach is satisfied with the performance of his players in the Apertura, as he values their sustained play and especially their attitude.

The match will be refereed by Ivo Méndez from Santa Cruz.

Probable line-ups

Oriente Petrolero: Wilson Quiñónez; Maximiliano Caire, Marcelo Suárez, Sebastián Álvarez, Ayrton Paz; Daniel Rojas, Juan Mercado, Ronaldo Sánchez, Hugo Dorrego; Facundo Suárez and Ferdy Roca.

Blooming: Braulio Uraezaña; Jesús Sagredo, Abraham Cabrera, Nahuel Iribarren, Santos Navarro; Richard Spenhay, Juan Ferrufino, Junior Sánchez, Pablo Luján; Jefferson Tavares and Rafinha.

Saturday's matchday

Two other matches will also be played this Saturday. Both will start at 15:00. At the Colcapirhua stadium, Pamaflor-FC Universitario will face each other. At the albo stadium, Real Santa Cruz and Always Ready will play against each other.

First Date Professional Division Group B: Universitario de Vinto 1 - 1 Real Tomayapo

 Universitario de Vinto did not manage to have the dream debut and tied yesterday (1-1) against Real Tomayapo, in a match corresponding to Group “B”, at the start of the Apertura Tournament played at the Félix Capriles stadium.

It was an unusual match for Universitario de Vinto, which is used to moving a game to the ground, something that was not possible yesterday due to the state of the Valluno stadium grass. The state of the grass, heavy because it rained all day, meant that the first minutes of the game were very slow.

After 15 minutes, the teams began to despair and sought to surprise with long-distance shots. Sergio Villamil tried for Real Tomayapo, a shot that Juan Carlos Robles sent over the goal and Yerco Vallejos tried for the U, but his shot went over the goal.

The visit little by little began to dominate the game, giving more than one scare to goalkeeper Juan Carlos Robles, like Vila's header clearance, which almost slipped into the goal (30'ST).

The first risk play by Universitario de Vinto came only after 40 minutes, when Dustin Maldonado had to make an effort to steal the ball from Erick Cano's feet, when he was about to shoot on goal.

In the epilogue of the first half, Real Tomayapo was better. He was about to open the scoring, but Mauricio Chajtur's cross shot passed inches from the second vertical (44'PT).

His effort award came a minute later. Daniel Garzón made an effort so that the ball did not go over the goal line, he managed to raise a cross so that Nicolás Albarracín managed to touch with luck, because his shot hit the ground first and then slipped into the back of the net, to 0-1, at 45'ST, a result with which the game went to rest.

In the second half, the entry of Roy Ndoutoumou and Joel Calicho changed the face of Universitario de Vinto, who gave it greater offensive power.

That is how the tie came, thanks to a goal by Yerco Vallejos, who received a cross from Ndoutoumou to deflect the ball with his head into the back of the net, for 1-1, at 15’ST.

Universitario de Vinto tried by all means to win, but it was not possible for them to keep the three points.

Ramiro Mamani had the clearest, when at 26'ST he sent a powerful shot that collided with the first vertical. Despite all the efforts, the score did not move and remained tied (1-1).

Spies in the Capriles

Wilstermann's coach, Miguel Ponce, and his coaching staff were at the Capriles to observe their next rivals.