Independiente de Avellaneda seals its pass to the semifinals of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana by defeating Paraguayan Nacional 2-0 (6-1)
Independiente de Avellaneda sealed its pass to the semifinals of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana by defeating Paraguayan Nacional 2-0 (6-1). The team, which has had complications in recent weeks due to extradeportive issues, was far superior to a Nacional side that lacked strength to advance to the next round.
Juan Manuel Martínez (51) and Emmanuel Gigliotti (67) scored the goals for Independiente's victory. The 'Reds' aim to conquer this tournament for the second time in their history, seven years after being champions in 2010.
Independiente secured the series against Nacional with an extensive aggregate score of 6-1, having won the first leg 4-1 last week in Asunción.
In the semifinals of the tournament, Independiente will face another Paraguayan team, Libertad, who prevented an all-Argentine clash by eliminating Racing.
Independiente vs. Nacional: This is how they lined up
Independiente: Campana; Sanchez, Franco, Amorebieta, Silva, Dominguez; Rodríguez, Meza, Barco; Albertengo & Giglioti.
Nacional: Rojas; Rojo, Jacquet, Miranda, Bonet; Salgueiro, Orzuza, Paniagua, Argüello; Bareiro & Nunez.
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Ariel Holan, the coach of Independiente, acknowledged that "the lead is very good", but warned that "in football, things are never settled".
The forward Lucas Albertengo also agrees with Holan and said that "it would be a mistake to disrespect Nacional" and that "the match must be taken seriously".
| COUNTRY | SCHEDULE |
| Mexico | 4:15 p.m. |
| Peru | 5:15 p.m. |
| Colombia | 5:15 p.m. |
| Argentina | 7:15 p.m. |
| Chile | 7:15 p.m. |
| Paraguay | 7:15 p.m. |
The bad news for Independiente is that defender Fabricio Bustos is unavailable due to a right hamstring injury. On the other hand, defender Fernando Amorebieta will be available despite a fractured nasal septum suffered in the first leg.
Meanwhile, Nacional traveled to Argentina to "give it their all" and "improve their image" after last week's adverse result, according to their coach, Roberto Torres. "We know the situation we are in, and we believe in our potential. I think in football, one should not lose hope. We have to improve a lot, and from there is the possibility of achieving our goal," Torres said at a press conference before flying to Buenos Aires.
The coach also announced that he will field those players who are in the "best physical condition" against Independiente, due to the "difficult" commitments they also have in the local tournament, where they currently sit eighth with 17 points, three points away from the relegation zone.
Independiente vs. Nacional: Probable lineups:
Independiente: Martín Campaña; Juan Sánchez Miño, Alán Franco, Fernando Amorebieta, Gastón Silva, Nery Domínguez; Diego Rodríguez, Maximiliano Meza, Ezequiel Barco; Juan Sánchez y Lucas Albertengo.
Nacional: Santiago Rojas; Carlos Bonet, Herminio Miranda, Miguel Jacquet, Rodrigo Rojo; Juan Argüello, Miguel Paniagua, Edgardo Orzusa, Juan Manuel Salgueiro; José Nuñez y Fredy Bareiro.