Universitario de Deportes will face Deportivo Capiatá this Thursday, February 2 at 7:15 p.m. (Peruvian time). The Paraguayan team reached the second phase of the 2017 Copa Libertadores after eliminating Táchira with a global score of 1-0.
The Paraguayan team has been in existence for 8 years and their best performance in an international tournament was in the 2014 Copa Sudamericana, when they reached the round of 16.
For the current season, Capiatá made a significant investment in order to have a great campaign in the Copa Libertadores. This is their first participation in this tournament and they reinforced their squad with seven top-level players, including experienced Paraguayan defender Carlos Bonet, who has played in three World Cups with the national team (2002, 2006, and 2010).
The coach.
The Paraguayan coach, Diego Gavilán, is known in his country for having had a successful playing career. He played for Newcastle in England alongside Nolberto Solano in 2000. Years later (2011), he joined Juan Aurich and shared a dressing room with Luis Tejada, current striker for Universitario de Deportes.
As a coach, he managed Olimpia and Independiente in the Paraguayan second division, then made the leap to the first division, where he coached Rubio Ñu and Deportivo Capiatá.
The playing style.
The Capiatá team has an average age of 33, making it one of the oldest teams in the Copa Libertadores. On the other hand, its most important characteristic is the organization in all its lines and defensive solidity. For example, in the 180 minutes played against Táchira, they didn't concede any goals. Additionally, their main attacking weapon is set pieces, thanks to the good aerial play of their forwards.
Their main attacking force is Roberto Gamarra, who has scored 130 goals in the Paraguayan first division. His best performance was last season when he scored 19 goals with the 'Auriazul' team.
