Aucas and Nacional de Assunção face each other on the night of this Thursday, February 8, 2024, starting at 9:30 pm, in the first game of the quarter-final phase of the Qualifications for the Copa Libertadores. The duel will be played at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium, in the city of Quito, Ecuador.
Aucas
Aucas already surprised last season with some impressive victories and a commendable campaign among the Ecuadorian elite, so much so that they ended the season with the right to add nine consecutive matches without losing.
However, the team has not officially entered the field since December 3rd, when they faced Orense in the Ecuadorian elite and won 2-1 in a tight manner.
This long period without playing a match could end up hurting them against an opponent who is already active in 2024.
However, the home factor combined with the high competitive level that Aucas presented at the end of the season justify the oddsmakers’ greater confidence in their victory, despite questions about the physical aspect.
In the last 5 times that they officially entered the field, the Ecuadorian team came out on top by beating Orense, Ind. del Valle and Mushuc Runa, in addition to drawing with Dep. Cuenca and also with Delfin.
Playing as home team, at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda Stadium, the Aucas team recorded a recent campaign with 6 wins, 3 draws and only 1 defeat in the last 10 matches played.
Nacional-PAR
While on the other side is the Nacional squad, from Paraguay, who will try to surprise on Ecuadorian soil and arrive to play their fifth match in 2024.
However, their previous performances were not that encouraging and the team arrives with a big underdog status for this Thursday, needing to present much more efficient football if they want to have any chance of qualifying for the next phase of the tournament and getting closer to the group stage.
Their most recent match was a crushing defeat to Guarani-PAR, in the national elite, by a score of 4-1, at home. At the time, Nacional was completely dominated in the confrontation and barely offered any resistance to the negative result.
In the last 5 games played officially, there were 3 draws and 2 defeats. During this period they drew with Sportivo Luqueño, General Caballero and Olimpia, in addition to losing to Ameliano and also to Guarani-PAR.
Acting as a visitor, the Nacional-PAR team recorded a recent campaign with only 1 victory, 7 draws and only 2 defeats in the last 10 matches played.
Conclusion:
Considered to have broad pre-game favoritism, the Aucas team has everything it takes to stand out in this first match, with the advantage of playing at the altitude of Quito to try to get off on the right foot in the competition and also in the season, aiming to get closer of the group stage of the continent’s main club tournament.