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The 2023 Copa Libertadores starts the group stage and three Peruvian teams will participate in this phase. In the case of Melgar, Mariano Soso's team will be part of Group H along with Olimpia, Patronato, and Atlético Nacional. Although the Arequipeño team is not doing well in the present Liga 1 - they have not won in almost ten matches and have only scored one goal - Bernardo Cuesta spoke to the media and highlighted that they are already focused on what is coming in the international tournament.
"The goal was to get the victory at home, unfortunately, we couldn't, now we must focus on the Libertadores," clarified Cuesta after drawing 1-1 against Cusco FC. The 'rojinegros' are currently in the second-to-last place with three points, due to the same number of draws.
Cuesta also dared to make a comparison between the Copa Libertadores and the Liga 1, and how the team is preparing for this new challenge. It is worth mentioning that in the 2022 edition of the Copa Sudamericana, they finished in fourth place.
"The international tournament is totally different, we must be very focused and prepared to face this match against Olimpia," spoke the captain of the 'rojinegro' team, which will make its debut this Thursday, April 6th, at Monumental de la UNSA stadium.
When does Melgar make its debut in the Copa Libertadores?
After the draw against Cusco FC, Melgar will play again this Thursday, April 6th, when they face Olimpia for Matchday 1 of the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. The match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Monumental de la UNSA stadium.
El Dominó will seek to shake off the bad vibes in Group G with Olimpia, Patronato, and Atlético Nacional. Under the command of Soso, the Arequipeños want to repeat the feat of the previous season when they reached the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana.
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