Aurora will look to make a big splash tomorrow when they host Botafogo of Brazil in the first leg of phase 2 of the Copa Libertadores. The Bolivian team reached this point after beating Melgar of Peru in the previous instance, with a 1-0 victory at home and a 1-1 draw in the second leg.
Nicknamed The People’s Team, among its strengths is the difference it can make in its stadium, the Félix Capriles in the city of Cochabamba, located more than 2,550 meters above sea level. A height that is not that of the El Alto stadium, home of Always Ready, but enough to influence the oxygenation and fatigue of the rivals.
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Another of his virtues is his defensive scheme when he has to take care of the result. His captain is center back René Barboza and his defense partner is the brave Paraguayan Nelson Amarilla, both experienced.
The Ghanaian goalkeeper David Akologo, since 2018 in Bolivian football, was important for the classification in phase 1 and in the previous one he also appears as an outstanding point for Botafogo’s rival.
Among its weaknesses is the absence of two regular starters: defender David Robles and forward Oswaldo Blanco, both sent off in the previous Libertadores match. Coach Mauricio Soria, Bolivia’s coach between 2016 and 2018, will have to look for his replacement.
🔥⚽ El golazo de tiro libre de Martín Alaniz que le dio a @CDAuroraOficial el triunfo en la ida de la Fase 1 de la CONMEBOL #Libertadores.#GloriaEterna pic.twitter.com/lLCRecdCwl
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) February 14, 2024
A negative issue for Aurora is linked to the tight schedule this week. On Sunday he will play the Cochabamba classic against Jorge Wilstermann, so he will not be able to take care of his men before embarking on the trip to Brazil.
The first leg will be at 8:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. in Brasilia) with a Chilean referee team led by Cristian Garay. The return, meanwhile, is scheduled for February 28 at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro.
