dailyloe.com – Cruzeiro faces Barcelona Sporting Club in Guayaquil, Ecuador, tonight at 9 PM Brasilia time. This match marks the Brazilian side’s return to the Copa Libertadores after a six-year absence. It is the first Group Stage match for both teams in the prestigious South American tournament.
The game will be held at the Estadio Monumental Isidro Romero Carbo. Barcelona SC enters this match in strong domestic form. The Ecuadorian club is undefeated in its last seven matches across all competitions.
Barcelona SC currently sits third in the Ecuadorian Serie A with 12 points from seven games. They qualified for the group stage by defeating Argentinos Juniors and Botafogo in the preliminary rounds. Their most recent match was a 2-0 league victory over LDU Quito.
Cruzeiro, managed by new coach Artur Jorge, is struggling in the Brazilian Serie A. The team occupies 19th place with just one win in ten matches. They possess the league’s worst defense, having conceded 20 goals.
The team is coming off a heavy 4-1 defeat to São Paulo. Cruzeiro will be without key midfielders Lucas Romero and Walace for this crucial fixture. Romero returned to Belo Horizonte with a thigh injury, while Walace was suspended for a conduct violation.
This match presents a significant challenge for Cruzeiro’s continental comeback. The broadcast is available on ESPN and Disney+ platforms. Live text coverage will be provided by the ge sports portal throughout the event.[]
Source: ge
