Meet Deportivo Cuenca, Santos' Copa Sudamericana opponents | OneFootball

Santos open their Copa Sudamericana campaign on Wednesday, 8 April, away to Deportivo Cuenca in Ecuador. It is the clubs' first official meeting in the Ecuadorian side’s more than 50-year history.

According to Diario Do Peixe, Deportivo Cuenca were founded on 24 March 1971, are based in Cuenca and play at the Estadio Alejandro Serrano Aguilar, which holds about 22,000. They are nicknamed "Expresso Austral" and "Morlacos".

The club rose quickly after being formed, entering the national league little over a month after their creation. They won promotion to the top flight in 1972, then finished runners-up in 1975 and 1976.

Their defining season came in 2004, when they won their only Ecuadorian title. The crown was sealed with a 3-2 away win over Aucas under Argentine coach Julio Asad, in a campaign that broke the dominance of clubs from Quito and Guayaquil.

The team are currently led by another Argentine, Jorge Célico. Organised and competitive, they have struggled in attack early this season, scoring few goals, particularly against packed defences.

The tie is part of the Sudamericana group stage, Group D. The return leg is scheduled for 26 May at Vila Belmiro.

Source: Diario Do Peixe