Nacional vs Estudiantes
Nacional need to recover soon if they want to keep their hope alive in the Copa Libertadores: last Wednesday, the team succumbed to a 2-0 away defeat at Red Bull Bragantino (Brazil). On Sunday, El Bolso thrashed Boston River 6-0 away from home. As a result, Pablo Repetto’s men made it 12 points in eight rounds in the Uruguayan Torneo Apertura, trailing leaders Deportivo Maldonado by seven. At home, Nacional registered one victory, two draws and one defeat in 2022.
Meanwhile, Estudiantes played enjoyable football to beat Velez Sarsfield 4-1 at home and took their first three points in group C. On Sunday, the side also thrashed CA Central Cordoba 5-0 at home to become the only group B leaders in the Copa Liga Profesional on 18 points, two above Tigre, Aldosivi and Boca Juniors. Ricardo Zielinski’s men are on six competitive matches without defeat, having won four and drawn two in that time. On away turf, Estudiantes won two, drew three and lost one this year.
Estudiantes has scored 9 goals in 2 games last week, and I have to expect their powerful attack to become a problem for this Nacional that can’t afford another defeat in this competition and will take risks.