Next Thursday in La Plata it is clear what Estudiantes must do if they want to be in the group stages of this year’s Copa Libertadores. After suffering a 1-0 defeat to Independiente del Valle in the altitude of Ecuador, Mauricio Pellegrino’s side need a two-goal margin of victory in the Estadio Ciudad de La Plata.
Given the conditions it became quickly apparent that Estudiantes were tasked more with avoiding defeat than coming to attack in the Estadio General Rumiñahui. This looked as though it might pay off as the game edged deeper into the second half with Hilario Navarro not being called on a great deal.
However, with fifteen minutes remaining, Mario Pineida cut inside from the left and unleashed a superb right-footed shot from outside the box, leaving Navarro little chance.
Next Thursday, Independiente will expect a very different Estudiantes and should certainly see more of Guido Carrillo and Diego Vera. Those two will be crucial if El Picha are to find the necessary goals to take their place in Group 7.
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