Lanus (Argentina) vs Independiente del Valle (Ecuador)
Lanus succumbed to a devastating 2-1 away defeat at Independiente del Valle after conceding in stoppage time and now they need to win at home in order to keep their hope alive in the Copa Sudamericana. On Sunday, coach Jorge Almiron fielded a completely alternative XI and they suffered a 3-0 away loss at Union Santa Fe. In fact, El Granate are on three defeats in a row in all competitions and managed only five points in six rounds in the Liga Profesional. On a positive note, Lanus are unbeaten in the last three at home, having claimed two victories and one draw.
Jaime Ayovi’s goal in the 93rd minute gave Independiente del Valle a massive success in the first leg, beating Lanus 2-1 at home, which gives them the chance of advancing to the quarter-finals in the event of avoiding the defeat here. With the Ecuadorian league yet to resume, the team beat second-tier side La Union on penalties after a scoreless draw last Sunday in the Copa Ecuador’s round-of-16. The team are on five matches unbeaten in all competitions, having won three and drawn two in regular time. On away turf, Independiente lost only one of their last six matches, along with three victories and two stalemates.
Independiente was a fair and late winner in the 1st leg where we had an open game with chances for both, and I expect the same thing to happen here.