Vasco da Gama will be eager to inflict a first defeat upon Universidad de Chile in the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
Vasco da Gama of Brazil lock horns with Universidad de Chile in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Copa Sudamericana at the Sao Januario stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.
Vasco, who are still on track to win the Brazilian championship with two matches left to play against crosstown rivals Fluminense and Flamengo, have without any doubt the best attack of the Copa Sudamericana, however, their defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Cristovao Borges, the coach of Vasco, has discarded all possibilities of fielding a reserve side against the Chileans, as he will confront the semi-final with his strongest team possible, which includes top-quality defender and regular goal-scorer Dede, as well as skillful midfielders and dead-ball specialists Juninho Pernambucano and Felipe.
Vasco will be without key player Diego Souza, who was sent off against Universitario de Deportes, but he will be replaced by an outstanding young talent in Bernardo. Striker Eder Luis will also miss the match due to undergoing surgery, and his vacancy will be occupied by either Leandro or Alecsandro.
Universidad de Chile, who crushed Arsenal de Sarandi of Argentina 5-1 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals, arrived in Rio de Janeiro without any setbacks as the entire squad will be at the disposal of Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli. On the weekend Sampaoli rested several of his key players in the Chilean league derby against Universidad Catolica in order to keep them fresh for the vital clash with Vasco. Universidad de Chile fought out a goalless draw with their rivals in that match.
Like Vasco, Universidad count with a formidable attack that have scored several goals in the competition, but perhaps their greatest strength is their defense, which has only conceded a single goal in the entire competition.
On their way to the semi-finals Universidad de Chile eliminated both Fenix and Nacional of Uruguay, Flamengo of Brazil and as mentioned Arsenal of Argentina. In this process the Chileans didn't lose a single match.
Due to the amount of talent both teams possess in their distinctive attacks, it is expected to be a very high-scoring affair. Vasco will be looking to take a comfortable advantage into the return leg of the semi-final in Santiago, but although they have the firepower to achieve this they must make sure that their leaky defense isn't exposed by the eager Chileans.
Vasco, who are still on track to win the Brazilian championship with two matches left to play against crosstown rivals Fluminense and Flamengo, have without any doubt the best attack of the Copa Sudamericana, however, their defense leaves a lot to be desired.
Cristovao Borges, the coach of Vasco, has discarded all possibilities of fielding a reserve side against the Chileans, as he will confront the semi-final with his strongest team possible, which includes top-quality defender and regular goal-scorer Dede, as well as skillful midfielders and dead-ball specialists Juninho Pernambucano and Felipe.
Vasco will be without key player Diego Souza, who was sent off against Universitario de Deportes, but he will be replaced by an outstanding young talent in Bernardo. Striker Eder Luis will also miss the match due to undergoing surgery, and his vacancy will be occupied by either Leandro or Alecsandro.
Universidad de Chile, who crushed Arsenal de Sarandi of Argentina 5-1 on aggregate to reach the semi-finals, arrived in Rio de Janeiro without any setbacks as the entire squad will be at the disposal of Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli. On the weekend Sampaoli rested several of his key players in the Chilean league derby against Universidad Catolica in order to keep them fresh for the vital clash with Vasco. Universidad de Chile fought out a goalless draw with their rivals in that match.
Like Vasco, Universidad count with a formidable attack that have scored several goals in the competition, but perhaps their greatest strength is their defense, which has only conceded a single goal in the entire competition.
On their way to the semi-finals Universidad de Chile eliminated both Fenix and Nacional of Uruguay, Flamengo of Brazil and as mentioned Arsenal of Argentina. In this process the Chileans didn't lose a single match.
Due to the amount of talent both teams possess in their distinctive attacks, it is expected to be a very high-scoring affair. Vasco will be looking to take a comfortable advantage into the return leg of the semi-final in Santiago, but although they have the firepower to achieve this they must make sure that their leaky defense isn't exposed by the eager Chileans.
