In what was a preview of what could happen in the final of the championship, the 'orientals' depend on themselves and the odds are too high to achieve this second stage.
They haven't sealed their place in the final yet, but they are virtually there. However, what has been confirmed is their participation in the 2023 CONMEBOL Libertadores, which will be their first time in the continent's most important club tournament.
Aucas had only had 5 participations in the Copa Sudamericana (2002, 2004, 2016, 2020, and 2021) and in the Copa Merconorte (2001) in their history.