Deportivo Táchira Takes on Flamengo in Copa Libertadores Opener

Caracas, Venezuela — Deportivo Táchira is set to face Brazil’s Flamengo on Thursday, April 3, at 8:30 p.m. local time in the opening match of Group C in the 2025 Copa Libertadores. The encounter will take place at the Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, where the aurinegros aim to improve on their previous campaign in which they only managed to earn one point.

According to Renan Moura, a reporter for Rádio Globo in Brazil, this matchup marks a critical start for both teams in the continental tournament. ‘Flamengo has assembled a squad to reclaim the championship. It will be a tough match because the visiting team will be fatigued from their travel,’ he noted in an interview with Diario La Nación.

Moura also highlighted Flamengo’s status as a leading candidate for the trophy. ‘Flamengo has the highest salary budget among the teams in the tournament and should advance alongside Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito from this group. It would be a surprise if they did not qualify for the knockout stage,’ he added.

Last season, Flamengo was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Peñarol of Uruguay, a setback Moura described as premature. ‘Flamengo had the team to advance but fell short due to limited strategies from their coach at the time, Tité, who failed to adapt after the absence of striker Pedro,’ he said.

The match features a revamped Flamengo under the guidance of Filipe Luís, who stepped in as head coach last September after a distinguished playing career with clubs like Atlético de Madrid and Chelsea. Under his leadership, Flamengo secured the 2025 Campeonato Carioca by defeating their historic rivals, Fluminense FC, in the final. ‘He has demonstrated full knowledge of the team and has a championship record. Filipe Luís has emerged as a prominent figure among the new coaches in Brazil,’ Moura commented.

Moura also praised the growth of Venezuelan football. ‘Venezuela has shown exponential growth in recent years, from grassroots levels to the national team. I believe we will soon see a club reach a significant stage in the Libertadores,’ he stated.

This match will be the third time the two teams have met in international competitions, with Flamengo winning both previous encounters (2-3 and 5-0) during the 1991 quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. The last victory for Táchira over a Brazilian team in the Libertadores came in 2021 against Internacional de Porto Alegre, winning 2-1.

Both teams are dealing with player absences due to injuries, and Táchira, the undefeated champions of the 2024 Clausura tournament, will try to repeat their successful run from 2004, when they advanced to the quarterfinals without losing a match.

The stakes for the 2025 Copa Libertadores are high, with a prize of $24 million for the champion and $7 million for the runner-up. The tournament culminates on November 29, with the champion earning a spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Possible lineups: Deportivo Táchira: Jesús Camargo; Yanniel Hernández, Mauro Maidana, Carlos Vivas, Roberto Rosales; Carlos Calzadilla, Juan Manuel Requena; Daniel Saggiomo, Maurice Cova, Carlos Sosa; Bryan Castillo. Coach: Edgar Pérez Greco. Flamengo: Agustín Rossi; Alex Sandro, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Wesley; Nicolás de la Cruz, Erick Pulgar, Michael, Bruno Henrique, Luiz Araujo; Junin. Coach: Filipe Luís. Referee: Gery Vargas of Bolivia. Stadium: Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, Táchira, Venezuela. Kickoff: 8:30 p.m. local (00:30 GMT).