Just like last year against Independiente del Valle, Roque Santa Cruz scored a header goal against a team coached by Colombian Alexis Mendoza. This time, against Junior de Barranquilla.
The goal scored by the captain was the only one of the match, which served for the victory (1-0) and for traveling with certain tranquility to Colombia, where the rematch will be played next Thursday starting at 23:15, Paraguay time.
If he was already applauded before the match, as usual, Santa Cruz was the center of all the applause and praises from Defensores, which was at the limit of its capacity (officially, 32,743 spectators entered).
After the match, the captain referred to that crowd, recognizing that "the people came to see us win". "They are leaving happy," he added, admitting that he was also "happy to have been seen scoring again".
Regarding the match, Santa Cruz considered that "we could have scored more goals, but we know that Junior is a great team", so "it's going to be a closely contested elimination". "That's why it's also important for us to leave without conceding goals," he emphasized.
They travel on Wednesday
Olimpia makes its debut in the Apertura tournament on Monday, facing Independiente de Campo Grande at Defensores (19:00). Two days later, on Wednesday, the Olimpia delegation leaves for the city of Barranquilla.
As for the injured, Roque Santa Cruz only had a small ankle bruise, which does not put his continuity at risk; while William Mendieta, who left with muscle problems in the second half, will undergo tests today.