Facundo Barcelo’s goal gave Emelec a key 1-0 away success at Union Santa Fe last Thursday. Therefore, the team would advance to the round-of-16 in case of avoiding the defeat at home. On Sunday, coach Ismael Rescalvo rotated his players and the side drew 1-1 at Aucas, which means they earned only five points in four games. Emelec remain only six points away from the relegation zone. On a positive note, the team have been unbeaten in their last eight home matches, winning five and drawing three.
Union Santa Fe will need to win in Ecuador to make it to the Copa Sudamericana’s next round following their 1-0 home defeat to Emelec in coach Juan Manuel Azconzabal’s debut. On Sunday, the man in charge fielded a completely alternative XI, which drew 0-0 at home with Sarandi Arsenal in the Argentine league opener. El Tatengue are winless in their last five matches in all competitions (drawing three and losing two in regular time). On away turf, they beat Godoy Cruz 3-1 in February to stop a six-game winless run (having earned only two points in that span).
Union failed to score last week in the 1st leg when they lost 0-1, then failed to score in their league game that finished 0-0 during the weekend, and i can’t imagine that they will be any better in this game without striker Fernando Marquez who is injured.