Emelec and Barcelona Clash in Major Soccer Rivalry

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — This Sunday, September 14, Emelec will host Barcelona SC at the Estadio George Capwell for the 237th edition of the Clásico del Astillero in the Liga Ecuabet.

The match is critical for both teams as they aim to secure their spots in the top six and gain entry into the hexagonal stage of the tournament. Although Barcelona sits second in the league with 47 points, they seek to recover from recent setbacks, including a 3-2 loss to Universidad Católica.

“We need a win to get back on track and reduce the gap with Independiente del Valle,” said Barcelona coach Ismael Rescalvo, emphasizing the importance of this rivalry.

Emelec, currently ninth with 38 points, is also in dire need of points. Having recently defeated Aucas 2-1, they look to build momentum and continue their pursuit of a playoff spot. Coach Guillermo Duró noted, “It’s a matter of survival in the league for us, and every game counts. We want to show we can compete with the best.”

This matchup has a storied history, with Emelec’s last home win against Barcelona in the league occurring in October 2021. They won that game 2-1, with Joao Rojas scoring both goals for the home team.

The match is expected to draw significant attention, as fans are eager to see if Emelec can break their winless streak against their rivals in front of their home crowd. Both teams are coming into the match with injuries and uncertainties about player availability, adding to the intrigue.

The kickoff is set for 5:30 PM (local time), and the game promises to be a thrilling encounter that could have lasting implications for both clubs.