Clutching onto the possibility of fighting for the stage, Independiente del Valle receives Liga de Quito in Sangolquí. The black and blues arrive without victories in the last two rounds; however, "the results have been given and we are still alive," said forward Maximiliano Barreiro.
For the Argentine, Independiente is burdened by the draws against Delfín and El Nacional, direct rivals in the fight for the stage, and the two matches in similar situations: with a 2-goal draw and conceding a goal in the final minutes, results that have the team in sixth place with 27 points.
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"We have lacked a bit of personality to know how to protect the last minutes of the games, with Delfín and El Nacional we drew, but for us they were like defeats because we lost the possibility to fight at the top," lamented Barreiro.
This situation is not unfamiliar for Liga's coach, Pablo Repetto. The Uruguayan also pointed out the problems evidenced by his rival when he stated that Independiente "is caught off guard by stoppage time"; however, he talked about the precautions of facing "an offensive team".
Without winning in the last two rounds, the teams arrive with the need to score points. Although "without renouncing the fight" at the top of the table, Repetto hopes to hold on to the eighth place, while Alexis Mendoza's team aims to have a good tournament closure and fight for the top spots.
"We still have chances and we must not give up. As long as we have opportunities, we will continue fighting. There is confidence in the group and in what can be done until the end," said midfielder Mario Rizotto.
Independiente del ValleBone; Núñez, León, Segovia, Ayala; Rizotto, Arroyo, Méndez, Mera; Estrada, Barreiro.
Coach: Alexis Mendoza.
Liga de QuitoNazareno; Narváez, De Lima, Salaberry, Chalá; Bolaños, Vega, Quintero, J. Julio, Cárdenas; Barcos.
Coach: Pablo Repetto.
Referee: Roddy Zambrano.Time: 11:30.
Stadium: Rumiñahui.
TV Broadcast: DirecTV, CNT and TVCable. (D)