Talleres (Argentina) vs Colon (Argentina)
Talleres are into the Copa Libertadores knockout stage for the first time in history. In fact, they beat Universidad Catolica from Chile 1-0 away in the last group game to make it 11 points even though they had already secured the ticket to this round. However, the team seem unconfident in the league: last Saturday, la T lost 2-0 to CA Central Cordoba at home, which means they accumulated only four points in five league games. Furthermore, Talleres are bottom in the 2022 aggregate table, earning only 15 points in 19 matches so far. Pedro Caixinha’s men are on five competitive matches without a win (three draws and two defeats in regular time) and lost the last two at home.
Meanwhile, Colon return to this phase after 24 years: despite losing to Penarol 2-1 away in matchweek six, they had enough to finish the group stage at the top of the group G table on ten points. Last Saturday, coach Julio Falcioni fielded a completely alternative XI, that lost 1-0 to Huracan at home. The team earned five points in as many games in the Liga Profesional and remain out of the continental spots in the aggregate table. Colon are on three winless matches in all competitions, having drawn one and lost two in all competitions. On away turf, they haven’t claimed any victories across the last ten (five draws, five losses).
Even though Talleres is not exactly a confident team right now, neither is Colon. The visitors lost some important players lately like Rodrigo Aliendro who joined River and goalkeeper Burian who is going to Velez so I expect the hosts to take advantage of this and win the 1st leg.