The Chilean Catholic University closes the group stage of the Copa Libertadores de América-2022 on Tuesday against the Argentine Talleres, already qualified for the round of 16, with the mission of securing third place in Group H that ensures it will go on to the Copa Sudamericana.
With Flamengo already classified as first in the group and Talleres as second, for the round of 16 of the Libertadores, the last day will decide if ‘los Cruzados’ maintain their third place and thus guarantee their presence in the round of 16 of the South American.
In case of defeat, they will have to wait to find out if Sporting Cristal manages to beat ‘Fla’ away from home at the same time, although on the five previous dates they were unable to score three points.
The Argentine Ariel Holan took charge of the Chilean team two weeks ago, almost two years after being champion with Católica two seasons ago, but it will be in this match when he debuts on the bench in an international match because the previous date against Flamengo did not could do it by contracting coronavirus.
The team arrives at the appointment mired in irregularity both internationally and locally. They barely have a win and a draw in Libertadores, and in the Chilean league they lost last weekend 3-2 away against Audax Italiano.
“I am looking forward to getting to June as soon as possible. There we will be able to work very hard and correct things, which is not easy with so many games in a row,” said the coach after the defeat in the local tournament.
On the Argentine side, the visit to Chile is a pure formality. Tallere has already closed its classification as second in the group and has no chance of catching up with Flamengo.
The Cordovans arrive at the meeting with a week off. Their last game was a goalless draw at home against Sporting Cristal with which they closed their pass to the round of 16.
Talleres will be without Uruguayan striker Michael Santos, who was sent off for a double yellow against the Peruvians.
The match is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. local time (00:30 GMT on Wednesday) at the San Carlos de Apoquindo stadium, in Santiago. It will be directed by Bolivian Gery Vargas.
– Possible alignments:
Catholic University: Sebastián Pérez – Aaron Astudillo, Tomás Astaburuaga, Nehuen Paz, Alfonso Parot – José Pedro Fuenzalida, Ignacio Saavedra, Felipe Gutiérrez – Diego Valencia, Fernando Zampedri and Cristian Cuevas. DT: Ariel Holan.
Workshops: Guido Herrera – Gastón Benavidez, Matías Catalán, Rafel Pérez, Enzo Díaz – Matías Godoy, Juan Ignacio Méndez, Rodrigo Villagra, Héctor Fertoli – Federico Girotti and Fernando Juárez. DT: Pedro Caixinha.
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