Author: Soorya G
The Copa Sudamericana semi-finals are just around the corner and all eyes in the South American soccer community will be on the tournament. In previous rounds, there have been a series of twists and turns, with important teams such as Botafogo and São Paulo being eliminated. A common feature of these defeats was that the teams that were eliminated had disappointing matches. The teams will therefore be very careful not to make a mistake at this crucial moment.
While this may mean that the teams taking part in the round can opt for a safer style of soccer, it will also be possible to see an exciting game, both from a technical point of view and the possibility of matches being played to the end. There will be a lot at stake, and mistakes will definitely not go unpunished. In the semi-final stage, Ecuadorian team LDU de Quito will face Argentinian team Defensa y Justicia, who eliminated Brazilian Serie A leaders Botafogo in the quarter-finals. In the other semi-final, two Brazilian teams will face each other, with Corinthians taking on Fortaleza.
Corinthians vs Fortaleza
These two formidable teams bring contrasting narratives to the pitch, promising an exciting contest for soccer enthusiasts. Corinthians, a titan of Brazilian soccer history, have faced a challenging season, currently occupying 10th place in the Premier League. Its recent form has been mixed, marked by periods of inconsistency. However, the team has shown its ability in recent games against Botafogo and Gremio, which gives them some hope for the game.
On the other hand, Fortaleza have shown remarkable consistency, with only two defeats in their last 13 games. Their most recent league encounter resulted in a 2-1 win over Corinthians, which gives them a psychological advantage going into this semi-final.
The first leg of this much-anticipated clash will be played away from the Fortaleza pitch. Considering their impressive performance in the quarter-finals, when they triumphed convincingly against América MG, and Corinthians’ narrow escape against Estudiantes, Fortaleza go into the match as favorites.
LDU Quito – Defensa y Justicia (Rodrigo Delgado Stadium)
The first semi-final will be contested between two teams that have impressed greatly throughout the tournament: Defensa y Justicia will face Ecuadorian side LDU de Quito. After eliminating two major title contenders, the teams will be optimistic about their chances of reaching the end of the tournament. LDU de Quito’s previous matchday provided fans with an incredible game of soccer, as the match against the Copa do Brasil winners went to a penalty shootout.
Defensa, meanwhile, put in an impeccable performance away from home, securing victory by tactically outplaying their Brazilian rivals. Defensa are also in good form at home, with just two defeats in their last 19 games. Their opponents, meanwhile, have had a difficult time in Ecuador’s top flight, with several defeats and draws in recent months. In the short term, the team has done better, topping the table in the second phase of Ecuador’s Serie A.
An interesting battle is sure to ensue between two teams with drastically different styles. LDU Quito seem to be the most explosive, while Defensa are much more organized and measured in their approach to the game. At first glance, it seems that the Argentinian team has a slight advantage over their Ecuadorian rivals.
However, as the game will be played in LDU’s backyard, it looks like an intriguing clash is about to unfold. Although Defensa are the favorites to go through in two games, it looks like a 1-1 draw will be played out on Wednesday.