Not handed the easiest of ties, Atlético Tucumán and Huracán are on the verge of early elimination from the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana after first legs defeats to The Strongest and Atlético Nacional.
Atlético Tucumán travelled to the altitude of La Paz, a place where many have struggled to escape with a positive result, and will need to overturn a 2-0 deficit next week to progress to the third round of the Copa Libertadores.
In the ascendency for most of the game, The Strongest led on the stroke of half time when goalkeeper Alejandro Sánchez failed to claim a corner and Jair Reinoso powered a header into the unguarded net.
And 20 minutes from time the home side’s dominance produced a second, Brazilian Willie Barbosa flicking the ball past Sánchez to give the Bolivians a deserved lead.
Atlético Tucumán knew that this first leg would be tough and must now turn things round for a chance to play either Independiente Medellín or Deportivo Táchira in the third round.
🇧🇴🎥🇦🇷 Catch up on all the best moments from @ClubStrongest‘s 2-0 win over @ATOficial tonight in La Paz! Highlights presented by @FTBSantander pic.twitter.com/SidBV6F7rw
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@TheLibertadores) February 6, 2020
It was an equally difficult evening for Huracán in the Copa Sudamericana first round as Atlético Nacional handed El Globo a 3-0 defeat in Medellín.
It could have been worse for Huracán with the 2016 Libertadores champions spurning two glorious chances before Daniel Muñoz slotted in the opener after 32 minutes.
Two right wing crosses produced two close range finishes from Jefferson Duque and Vladimir Hernández before half time as Atlético Nacional tore Huracán apart.
El Globo are struggling domestically, were unable to bring in any new players during the window and have a rookie coach in Israel Damonte and looked out of their depth at this level. Despite reaching the final of the Copa Sudamericana in 2015 El Globo look set to fall at the first hurdle this year.
🇨🇴 Goleada en Colombia: lo mejor del triunfo 3⃣-0⃣ de @nacionaloficial ante @CAHuracan en la ida de la Primera Fase de la #Sudamericana. pic.twitter.com/VIqlkuk2Rj
— CONMEBOL Sudamericana (@Sudamericana) February 6, 2020