Nacional (Uruguay) vs Union (Argentina)
Nacional did their work in the Copa Libertadores matchweek six, beating Red Bull Bragantino 3-0 at home, but they ended up in third spot in the group C table on seven points following Velez Sarsfield’s victory over Estudiantes. As a result, they were transferred to the Copa Sudamericana. After finishing in second in the Torneo Apertura, El Bolso are now perfect in the Torneo Clausura (nine points in three games) thanks to their 1-0 away success at Danubio last Saturday. Nacional also are on four consecutive victories at their own stadium (since losing to Velez Sarsfield in May).
Union Santa Fe secured a massive 3-0 away success at Junior in Colombia to leapfrog them and climb into the top of the Copa Sudamericana group H to qualify for the round-of-16 for the second time in history. Last Friday, El Tatengue’s alternative XI also beat Boca Juniors 2-1 away from home to make it seven points in five rounds in the Liga Profesional. In fact, Gustavo Munua’s men lost only one of their last four matches in all competitions, winning two and drawing one. On the road, Union are on four games unbeaten, with three victories and one draw since losing to Argentinos Juniors in May.
Union won’t have their best striker, uruguayan Jonathan Alvez and his reserve Mariano Peralta Bauer, so I expect them to have a tough time against a club with big history in international competitions like Nacional.