With the victory of Emelec 1-0 against Aucas, last Monday, at the George Capwell stadium, the first round of the initial stage of the Ecuadorian soccer championship 2018 came to an end. The round of revenge begins tonight with the clash between Barcelona and Liga Quito, at the Monumental.

172 goals were scored, for an average of 2.60 per match. The first goal was scored by Ariel Nahuelpán (Barcelona) against goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez (Universidad Católica) on February 16 in Guayaquil, for the victory of his team 3-2. The last goal of the initial round was scored by Ayrton Preciado (Emelec) against goalkeeper Luis Fernández (Aucas) and so the millionaire team triumphed.

Among the various statistical data from these first eleven matches, it stands out that Barcelona, Liga and Independiente del Valle were the clubs that won the most matches as visitors: three each. There were 16 victories and 18 draws for visiting teams.

The referees

Referees also have their section, for example, those who directed the most matches: Carlos Aníbal Orbe and Daniel Abraham Salazar: 7 each. They conducted fewer matches: Ángel Francisco Hidalgo and José Luis Espinel: one each. The ones who expelled the most players are Vinicio Eduardo Espinel, with 6; and Franklin Andrés Congo, with 5. And the ones who penalized the most penalties are Vinicio Eduardo Espinel and Juan Carlos Albarracín, with 5 each.

In the eleven rounds, which divide the initial stage in two, there were 27 expulsions. The team with the most players sent off the field is Aucas, with 4. Meanwhile, on the other side is Emelec, without expelled players. (D)