Libertadores: Del Valle lose stadium for Flamengo tie, fans fume | OneFootball

Independiente del Valle will not be able to play at Banco Guayaquil Stadium against Flamengo

Flamengo gained a “small advantage” for the match against Independiente del Valle (ECU) in Quito, Ecuador. That is because the team will not be able to host Mengão at its own stadium, Banco Guayaquil. As a result, the team will face the four-time Libertadores champions on September 10 at Olímpico Atahualpa. The change of venue outraged Ecuadorian fans.

View this photo on InstagramA post shared by Independiente del Valle (@independientedelvalle)

WHAT WERE THE COMMENTS?

This Friday (28), Independiente del Valle’s official profile announced details of the match against Flamengo, such as the date, time, and venue. The information about the game at Olímpico Atahualpa dominated the comments on the Ecuadorian club’s post.

“Why didn’t they ask to play at LDU’s stadium? Atahualpa is awful,” one person asked. “You guys are way too nice. You have to play Flamengo at Banco Guayaquil,” complained another. “They need to build a stand at Banco Guayaquil so they can always play at home,” said one fan. “Big mistake. It should have been played at home,” added another.

WHY WON’T DEL VALLE PLAY AT ITS OWN STADIUM?

According to Conmebol regulations, stadiums used in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals must have a capacity of at least 20,000 fans. Banco Guayaquil only has room for 12,000. Atahualpa, meanwhile, can hold 35,000.

Despite the change, the match will still be played at altitude. Both stadiums are located in the city of Quito, that is, 2,850 meters above sea level. Therefore, Flamengo will not escape the feared “invisible opponent” common in Copa Libertadores matches.

HAS FLAMENGO ALREADY PLAYED AT ATAHUALPA?

Flamengo have played twice at Olímpico Stadium and have never lost. The first match took place in June 1952, when Mengão beat Boca Juniors de Cali (COL) 6-3 in a friendly. Then, in February 2020, Rubro-Negro drew 2-2 with Del Valle itself in the Recopa Sudamericana. Two players who are still at the club scored on that occasion: Bruno Henrique and Pedro.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

— It’s small, but it is an advantage. The players are used to Banco Guayaquil. It’s as if Flamengo didn’t play at the Maracanã and hosted a match in Brasília, for example. It’s not the same thing. May Rubro-Negro remain unbeaten at Atahualpa — said Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

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