Copa Libertadores: Deportivo Táchira vs Olimpia preview

Deportivo Táchira vs Olimpia
Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal, Venezuela
20/04/2021; 18:15 (23:15 BST)
Group B, Game 1

Olimpia return to the Copa Libertadores for the 43rd time and the most successful Paraguayan side in recent years (five titles in last six seasons) are desperate for a proper shot at winning the tournament for the fourth time in their history. Since 2013, when they reached the final, they have had several false starts only making it out of the group stages once (2019) in five attempts. Under new coach Sergio Órteman, a two-time winner of the tournament with Olimpia and Boca Juniors, there is renewed hope around the club. 

Olimpia’s first training session in Venezuela, Credit: Olimpia Media

 
The Decano arrived in Venezuela on Sunday coming from a good win against title rivals Guaireña on Friday in the local league. Fatigue will surely be a factor for some of the more regular starters having done a long bus trip to Villarrica in Paraguay before flying over 6,500 km to San Cristobal (for reference, that 1,000 km longer than London to New York!). Both Néstor Camacho and Marcelo Estigarribia were rested in the league match so you would suspect they play a part from the start in El Templo Sagrado on Tuesday night. Roque Santa Cruz returned successfully from injury, he has four goals in the Copa Libertadores since returning in 2017. The two in-form players are most definitely Jorge “Pollo” Recalde who has seven league goals and Alejandro Silva who played in this fixture in 2016, he got a double against Guaireña and has been Órteman’s top performer since taking over.

The Venezuelans have built up their squad for a run at the Libertadores, hoping to emulate their 2004 showing where they reached the Quarter Finals. This is their first appearance in the group stages since 2016 where they also played Olimpia in the opener in San Cristobal, winning 2-1 and eventually pipping the Paraguayans to second spot in the group. Like their opponents they won 2-1 in the local league on Friday in what was the first game of the season. Fredy Góndola, the 25-year-old Panamanian forward who starred with Yaracuyanos last year, is one of the key signings. 

Watch/Listen to get an in-depth analysis of both Deportivo Táchira and Deportivo La Guairá on our special edition of Guaraní Vision with Venezuelan football expert Jordan Florit available on YouTube and Spotify. 

Prediction: 0-2 – Órteman has got his team winning despite not finding the perfect formula yet in terms of tactics/style. That can count for a lot on these tricky Libertadores nights. 

Olimpia XI (possible): Alfredo Aguilar; Sergio Otálvaro, Saúl Salcedo, Antolín Alcaraz, Iván Torres; Rodrigo Rojas, Alejandro Silva, Marcelo Estigarribia; Néstor Camacho, Jorge Recalde, Roque Santa Cruz

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Stats and Facts

Olimpia vs Venezuelan opposition overall  (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 8 W 5 D 2 L 1 GF 25 GA 9

Olimpia’s biggest wins against Venezuelan sides is 5-0 (home vs Caracas), 5-1 (away vs Dep. Lara) and 4-0 (home vs Táchira). 

Olimpia in Venezuela (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 5 W 2 D 2 L 1 GF 10 GA 6

The only defeat was in the 2016 against Táchira, in 2013 they defeated Deportivo Lara 5-1 their best away win in the competition. 

Olimpia in San Cristóbal (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 2 W 0 D 1 L 1 GF 1 GA 2

Other than the 2-1 reverse mentioned above to Táchira, they played Atlético Nacional in the 1991 semifinals and drew 0-0. Colombian clubs had been banned from playing in Colombia at the time due to threats against referees in the 1990 tournament. 

Olimpia recent away record (Copa Libertadores)

Pld 6 W 1 D 3 L 2 GF 9 GA 9

Olimpia are winless in their last five, in fact they only have one victory in their last 18 away games. 

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Copa Libertadores 2012: Rain in Venezuela dampens Nacional’s hopes

Deportivo Táchira vs Nacional
Estadio Pueblo Nuevo
(0-0) 0-0

Nacional played well, were bold at times but couldn’t find the crucial goal to boost their qualification hopes. This stalemate all but signals the end of both sides’ Copa Libertadores campaigns. Neither team was helped by the torrential rain that came down before the game and during the first half making football almost unplayable in the middle of the pitch.

Tachira & Nacional drew in the rain - Photo: AFP

The opening twenty minutes passed without much incident as the teams employed differing styles, Táchira were slow in possession and looking to build things intricately around the box although they looked better when they spread the ball wide. Nacional on the other hand were more direct trying to get the ball in behind as German Cano stretched the Venezuelan defence. The best chances for either side came in the latter stages of the first half, Diego Guerrero forced a good save from Nacional ‘keeper German Caffa with a shot from distance. Moments before half time the visitors came close when left back Marcos Miers headed over the bar from a corner and then Cano was pushed over in the penalty area, the referee’s response was to blow for half time a minute early.

The early part of the second period was pockmarked with fouls, mostly by Táchira, but Nacional were unable to compensate from the set pieces as the home team began to search for a goal. Angel Chourio was impressive as he began creating chances and looked dangerous. On 66 minutes Nacional had their best chance, Miers managed to win a 50/50 on the halfway line and the loose ball fell to Cano who used his pace to race clear, one on one with the goalkeeper he contrived to shoot wide with the goal at his mercy. Táchira had a penalty appeal of their own when a rogue Denis Caniza arm held back his opponent briefly, the referee declined to bow home pressure and play continued. Ricardo Mazacotte shot wide on 70 minutes following a good move by Nacional and he was set up by Rodrigo Teixeira’s backheel.

Nacional's Cristaldo battles in Venezuela - Photo: EFE

Arguably one of the biggest surprises was that Teixeira remained on the pitch instead of Cano (replaced by Ariel Bogado) as the Brazilian had seemed to tire considerably. In fact the heavy pitch took its toll as neither side could muster much attacking football in the final twenty minutes, the best two chances coming right at the end. Slack marking from the Academia allowed Wilker Angel a free header in the box but the defender headed wide with five minutes remaining. Teixeira then struck the crossbar from a freekick with the last kick of the game in what would have been a thrilling end to a not so thrilling game.

Nacional’s next game is against Corinthians at home on the 11th of April which they will have to win; but first they need to hope Táchira can take points off Cruz Azul in Venezuela next week.

Nacional XI: I.Don, R.Mazacotte, D.Caniza, H. Miranda, M.Miers; G.Noguera, J.Villareal, M.Riveros, G.Cristaldo; R.Texeira, G.Cano

Subs: C.Ruiz Peralta for G.Noguera, A.Bogado for G.Cano, Angel Orué for G.Cristaldo

By Ralph Hannah

Copa Libertadores Preview: Deportivo Táchira vs Nacional

Nacional vs Deportivo Táchira
Estadio Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo a.k.a El Templo Sagrado
27/03/2012, 21.30 (01.30 BST)

Nacional travel to San Cristóbal, knowing that they must win to have a chance of replacing Cruz Azul (who go there next week) in the qualification zone. They beat the Venezuelans in a thrilling encounter last week in Asunción and will hope for a repeat performance tonight.

Javier Torrente is expected to field the same XI that lined up against Táchira in the previous game but can now count on the services of Ariel Bogado who will either replace Germán Cano or Rodrigo Teixeira up front. The three strikers are of vital importance to Nacional, with the trio contributing to eight of the team’s last 10 goals as they thrive on the competition for places. The Academia are hoping to end a  terrible record away from home, they have lost their last seven games as visitors in the Copa Libertadores.

Ariel Bogado is expected to start

Deportivo Táchira are on a bad run themselves, just winning one of their last nine games in all competitions and will be without Jackson Clavijo and Pedro Fernandez both sent off in the defeat to Nacional. With what is expected to be a big crowd at the Pueblo Nuevo the Venezuelans could feel the pressure if they are unable to score early on or worse still concede. However it should be noted they were just a last-minute equaliser from beating Corinthians in their only home game so far this year. That match ended 1-1 which is my prediction for tonight, an away win is probably out of reach for the Paraguayans.

Nacional XI (probable): I.Don; R.Mazacotte, H.Miranda, D.Caniza, D.Mendoza; C.Ruiz Peralta, M.Riveros, J.Villarreal, R.Caceres; R.Texeira, A.Bogado

Prediction: 1-1

SELECTED ODDS: Táchira win 2.62, Draw 3.35,  Nacional win 3.0; 1-1 scoreline 7.2, Under 2.5 goals 1.8

BEST BET: Considering both sides defences and the result in their last meeting, Both Teams to Score at 1.82 seems pretty decent value if you ask me

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STATS & TRIVIA

Nacional last 5 away in Copa Libertadores

Nacional players in their hotel in Venezuela - Photo: Club Nacional Prensa

Pld 5 W 0 D 0 L 5 GF 2 GA 10

Táchira last 5 home in Copa Libertadores

Pld 5 W 1 D 2 L 2 GF 4 GA 7

Nacional’s win against Táchira was their first Copa Libertadores game against a Venezuelan side

The last Paraguayan team to visit Táchira was Cerro Porteño last year, they won 2-0

Táchira have also played Paraguayan sides Guaraní and Libertad  in the 2009 and 2010 winning both home games

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FULL SQUAD LIST:

GK: Ignacio Don, German Caffa

DEF: Denis Caniza, Raul Piris, David Mendoza, Ricardo Mazacotte, Herminio Miranda, Marcos Miers

MID: Gustavo Noguera, Gustavo Cristaldo, Ramón Cáceres, Silvio Torales, Carlos Ruiz Peralta, Marcos Riveros, Javier Villareal

ATT: Rodrigo Teixeira, Germán Cano, Ángel Orué, Ariel Bogado

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By Ralph Hannah

Author’s Note: All odds up to date at the time of writing, vía Betfair