Joaquín Papa upbeat yet wary as Independente Del Valle face Flamengo in Libertadores | OneFootball

Independente Del Valle will face Flamengo in the Libertadores quarter-finals, with head coach Joaquín Papa striking a balance between optimism and caution.

According to Coluna Do Fla, Papa said the squad are excited about the possibility of reaching the semi-finals. He stressed Flamengo are extremely difficult and that the tie will be approached with enthusiasm and respect.

Del Valle booked their place by beating Tolima 1-0 away in Colombia on 18 August, then 3-1 at home in Ecuador on 25 August. Papa spoke after the second-leg victory.

Flamengo reached the last eight by edging Cruzeiro, drawing 1-1 at the Mineirão on 12 August before winning 2-1 at the Maracanã on 19 August.

Conmebol has not yet confirmed dates or kick-off times. The first leg in Ecuador will be between 8 and 10 September, with the return in Rio de Janeiro between 15 and 17 September.

Before that tie, Flamengo host Botafogo in the Brasileirão on Sunday 30 at 16:00 Brasília time at the Maracanã.

Source: Coluna Do Fla

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”