El Nacional |
1 - 0
This match has ended. Upcoming related matches:
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Libertad
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El Nacional vs Libertad Live Streams and TV Channels
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| United States | FOX Deportes |
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El Nacional vs Libertad Match Preview
El Nacional lock horns with Libertad in what is expected to be a hotly contested play-off between two teams that have lots to offer.Both teams have featured in numerous editions of the Copa Libertadores, but neither side have reached the final to date.
El Nacional, who have a policy for not signing foreigners in preference of home-grown players, have reinforced their squad with several young players, from the hand of Uruguayan coach Marcelo Saralegui.
Their leading goal-scorer, Juan Luis Anangono scored 23 goals in the local competition last year, and much of El Nacional's success weighs on his shoulders.
Due to the depth of Libertad, it is vital that El Nacional take full advantage of the high altitude of the Olimpico Atahualpa stadium in Quito in the first leg.
Libertad contain a host of foreigners in their squad, as well as players with vast national team experience. The Asuncion-based side are without doubt one of the most consistent teams on the continent, and their objective will be to reach the later stages of the competition this year.
Coming into the decisive play-off, the Paraguayans participated in a mini-tournament in Montevideo, which included rivals Olimpia and Uruguayan giants Nacional and Penarol. Having lost 2-0 against Olimpia in their first match, they went on to claim a 2-2 draw with Penarol.
It is likely to be a very evenly balanced match-up, even if Libertad appear to be slightly the stronger side.
El Nacional vs Libertad Match Report
A 43rd minute strike from Juan Anangono was the difference as El Nacional of Ecuador ousted Libertad of Paraguay 1-0, to edge closer towards the group stage of the competition.The match was played under difficult conditions, as the dense fog in the air limited visibility. But Peruvian referee Victor Rivera considered the effects to be minimal.
El Nacional commenced the game brightly, causing constant problems for Libertad goalkeeper Rodrigo Munoz, particularly with dangerous long-range shots on goal.
At the other end, Libertad came inches close from going ahead when a goal-bound effort from Cristian Menendez was cleared off the line by El Nacional defender Javier Chila.
El Nacional, who follow the strict policy for solely signing locals, broke the deadlock two minutes before the break, when lethal striker Anangono took advantage of a lapse of concentration from the leaky Libertad defence to fire the ball home.
The Paraguayans dominated great part of the second half, but although they looked dangerous each time they moved forward they couldn't find an effective way to penetrate the rock-solid El Nacional defence and had no choice but to return home empty handed.
But the narrow score-line means the tie still remains wide open, looking ahead to the return leg in the Paraguayan capital of Asuncion on January 31.