Located on the threshold of the playoff classification, with no option to fail, as a defeat would leave them out of that zone, Emelec will go today forced to beat El Nacional, a team that has shown a great recovery and if they win today, they will displace the blues from the eighth position.
Emelec has only collected one point in the last three games, and that worries its fans, who have been accustomed to fighting for the title in recent years.
The coach, Ismael Rescalvo, called for serenity on Wednesday after the 2-2 draw obtained against América, a result that classified the millionaires for the quarterfinals of the Copa Ecuador (in the first leg, they had won 0-2).
"We have been in the team for two and a half months (he took over on April 30) and we must have the necessary patience to achieve the result we want," declared the Spanish DT, clearly alluding to Emelec's obligation to reach the next phase.
After eliminating the "cebollitas" from the Copa Ecuador, the strategist showed confidence that they can achieve good results in the LigaPro because, according to him, they played "very well."
In another matter, he also expressed confidence that Venezuelan forward Edwuin Pernía will be able to successfully replace top scorer Bryan Angulo, who left for Cruz Azul in Mexico.
For today's match, Rescalvo will not have midfielder Gabriel Cortez due to suspension.
In El Nacional, the biggest novelty will be the absence of their best player, number 10 Jonathan Borja.
Emelec and El Nacional have 27 points, but the blues are eighth due to a better goal difference (2 against 1).
El Nacional
Johan Padilla; Peña, Lara, Cifuentes, Mina; Ordóñez, Arce, De Jesús, Jairo Padilla; Congo, Vera. DT: Marcelo Zuleta.
Emelec
Dreer; Carabalí, Quintero, Vega, Bagüí, Arroyo, Godoy, Queiroz; Caicedo, Orejuela; Pernía. DT: Ismael Rescalvo.
Referee: Luis Quiroz.
Time: 17:00 local time
Stadium: Olímpico Atahualpa.
Transmitted by: GolTV (D)