Universitario de Deportes Faces Critical Match Against Barcelona SC

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador — Universitario de Deportes will play a crucial match against Barcelona SC on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, in the third round of group play in the Copa Libertadores. The game takes place at the Monumental Banco Pichincha, where Universitario hopes to secure its first points after two consecutive losses.

With Fabián Bustos departing as head coach after a tough loss against Melgar, the team is now under the interim leadership of Manuel Barreto and Piero Alva. The duo aims to maintain the momentum from their recent domestic victories, having secured two wins in the Liga 1.

In the lineup, Matías Di Benedetto returns after recovering from an injury, while César Inga will continue as a key defender after strong performances in past games. With injuries sidelining Martín Pérez Guedes and Horacio Calcaterra, Jairo Vélez and Jairo Concha will join Rodrigo Ureña in midfield. The lineup features Sebastián Britos in goal, supported by Inga, Williams Riveros, and Di Benedetto in defense.

Universitario’s success in the Liga 1 has seen them rise to the top of the standings with 20 points, equal with Deportivo Garcilaso but ahead on goal difference. However, the team has struggled in the Copa Libertadores, sitting at the bottom of Group B with no points.

The pressure mounts as fans express frustration with recent performances, contributing to the coaching change. The team aims to bounce back and prove itself against a strong Barcelona SC, which has shown formidable form in the tournament.

Barcelona SC, managed by Segundo Castillo, enters the match with 4 points, having recently defeated El Nacional 1-0 in LigaPro. The team hopes to secure a victory in Guayaquil to bolster its chances of advancing to the knockout stages.

Kickoff is set for 9:00 PM local time (21:00) in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador, and 11:00 PM in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. The match will be broadcast live across South America.