Patronato (Argentina) vs Atletico Nacional (Colombia)
Patronato will make their debut in the Copa Libertadores after lifting the Copa Argentina title by beating Talleres on October 31st in the final. However, the team got relegated via the point-average despite producing a good campaign in the league. Now the team are fighting to return to the top flight: last Sunday, El Patron beat Deportivo Moron 1-0 away to make it ten points in eight games, trailing eighth-placed Defensores de Belgrano (who are currently qualifying for the second promotion playoff) by two. However, Walter Otta’s men lost only one of their last four games in all competitions, winning two and drawing one. Patronato claimed a single win as hosts this term, along with one draw and two defeats. They played all those home games at Atletico Parana and will host Atletico Nacional at Colon.
Colombia’s Atletico Nacional became Torneo Apertura champions in June 2022 to secure their 24th appearance in the Copa Libertadores (they lifted two titles in history). On Saturday, the team had to settle for a scoreless away draw at La Equidad to make it 18 points in 11 matches this term, occupying fifth spot in the Colombian league table, which would qualify them for the playoffs. El Paisa are on ten competitive matches unbeaten, having won five and drawn five since losing at Jaguares de Cordoba 2-1 in February. Since then, Nacional played five games on the road, winning three and drawing two.
Patronato are only focused on the 2nd division championship. There’s not much left of the team that won Copa Argentina but this will be a historic game for them though so they will be motivated and with nothing to lose they should propose an open game where we should see at least a couple of goals.