Flamengo's Libertadores foes Del Valle lose to Barcelona, 2 without a win | OneFootball

Flamengo’s opponent next Thursday (10), Independiente del Valle is going through its worst spell since the World Cup

It seems the tide has turned for Independiente del Valle (ECU). After putting together an incredible run of 16 straight wins, Flamengo’s opponent in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals has now gone two matches without a victory. This Wednesday (02), Mengão’s rival lost 2-1 to Barcelona de Guayaquil (ECU) in the 28th round of the domestic league.

Playing away at Barcelona’s home ground, the Monumental Banco Pichincha Stadium, Independiente del Valle took the lead through a penalty scored by top scorer Carlos Gonzalez late in the first half. However, the hosts came from behind with goals from Jefferson Wila and Dario Benedetto, the latter scoring in the 50th minute of the second half with the final kick of the game.

This is Del Valle’s second straight match without a win. On Saturday (29), the team drew 2-2 at home with Universidad Católica (ECU). The team still has one more match before facing Flamengo. It will be on Saturday (05), against Macará (ECU).

DEL VALLE IN THE ECUADORIAN LEAGUE

Even so, despite going winless in two matches, Independiente del Valle still comfortably leads the Ecuadorian Championship. After 28 rounds, the team has 68 points, 20 more than second-place Macará. Barcelona, meanwhile, moved up to fifth with 42 points after Wednesday’s (02) win.

WHEN WILL FLAMENGO VS DEL VALLE BE?

In short, Flamengo and Del Valle will face each other on September 10 and 17, both Thursdays, at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time), in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The first leg will be played at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa, located at Quito’s altitude, 2,850 meters above sea level. The second leg will take place at the Maracanã.

That means whoever advances will face the winner of Corinthians vs Estudiantes (ARG) in the semifinals, with those teams meeting on the next two Thursdays (09 and 16). On the other side of the bracket, the matchups are: LDU (ECU) vs Palmeiras and Platense (ARG) vs Fluminense.

AUTHOR’S OPINION

— Independiente del Valle’s situation in the Ecuadorian Championship standings is very comfortable, but they are still playing their starters. This little winless streak is good, because it takes away some of the confidence, which was sky-high over there. But Flamengo needs to step onto the pitch fully focused, because these will be very difficult matchups — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist at Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.