After qualifying for the CONMEBOL Sudamericana, Emelec signed midfielder Michael Carcelén and forward Jaime Ayoví to face this key against Defensa y Justicia, from Argentina, on Tuesday, August 1, at 19:00 at the Capwell stadium.
The team led by coach Hernán Torres is starting a busy week because, in addition to the international tournament, on Friday they will visit Libertad in Loja, for the resumption of LigaPro. In the domestic league, they cannot afford to give up points in order to avoid relegation. With Carcelén in the squad, they will have alternatives, either to alternate in the starting lineup or for LigaPro matches, where they could use mixed formations.
In the attack, the coach has incorporated Jaime 'La Yoya' Ayoví, who becomes the fourth center forward. This decision was made due to the increasing injuries of Miller Bolaños and the inconsistency of Alejandro Cabeza and Bryan Angulo.
In the Sudamericana, Emelec finished second in Group B with 9 points. They were behind Guaraní from Paraguay and eliminated Danubio from Uruguay and Huracán from Argentina. In the playoffs, they won 1-0 away against Sporting Cristal from Peru and drew 0-0 at home.
Defensa y Justicia won Group F in the Sudamericana. They earned 15 points from five victories and one defeat. In the group stage, they surpassed America Mineiro from Brazil, Millonarios from Colombia, and Peñarol from Uruguay. They only lost one match in Bogotá. In 2020, they won the CONMEBOL Sudamericana and this season they aim to lift this trophy once again.