The Catholic University Ecuadorian, led by the Argentine Miguel Ángel Rondelli, left La Paz satisfied after match 1-1 with Bolívar Brazilian Antonio Carlos Zago in the first leg of the second phase of the Copa Libertadores. The Brazilian Chico Da Costa put the La Paz Academy ahead in the 8th minute and the Panamanian Ismael Díaz tied the score in the 11th minute of the match played at the Hernando Siles stadium in La Paz, located more than 3,600 meters above sea level. sea. The result is more favorable for the Ecuadorians, who will have a little more margin to face the round that will be played in Quito next Wednesday, March 2.
Bolívar wanted to mislead the visitors from the beginning with insistent arrivals of their Brazilian attacking duo, although U was not far behind and made it clear from the outset that they did not go to La Paz only to defend themselves. The Brazilians shone in the play of the first goal that started with a pass from the Spaniard Álex Granell that Savio passed from heel to Guy to open the scoring in the 8th minute. Rondelli’s men equalized three minutes later through a cross from their captain, Facundo Martínez, who Diaz He reached to hole the ball with his head in the frame of the Bolivian Rubén Cordano.
After the tie, the attacks came and went from one side to the other, with a little more arrivals from the squad commanded by Zago, who lacked precision and calm. Then the intensity of the match dropped, although there were uneventful moments, such as Anangonó’s powerful pitch against Zamora, his own teammate’s, who then had to leave the field after not fully recovering from the impact.
In the second half, Academia La Paz scrambled to take the lead and nearly did so in the 55th minute, but Savio’s goal was disallowed because he was ahead. Chico and Savio had several attempts, but they were not as fine as in the match against the Venezuelan Deportivo Lara in the first phase.
Towards the end of the game, Rivas tried to outwit the ‘light blue’ defense, but the local captain, the Brazilian César Martins, was able to stop his run.