Universitario Faces Barcelona SC in Crucial Copa Libertadores Match

QUITO, Ecuador — Universitario de Deportes prepares for a vital third group stage match against Barcelona SC in the Copa Libertadores 2025. The game is set to take place on Tuesday at the Estadio Monumental Banco Pichincha, with kick-off at 23:00 local time. The Peruvian team seeks its first win in the tournament to keep alive its hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.

Both teams have been strategizing heavily, and Universitario’s head coaches, Piero Alva and Manuel Barreto, aim to build on recent successes in the domestic league. Universitario comes off back-to-back victories in the Torneo Apertura, including a recent 3-1 win against Deportivo Binacional, positioning them atop the league table.

However, the Libertadores has been a different story for Universitario, who stands at the bottom of Group B without a point after two consecutive losses. Their latest loss came against Independiente del Valle, where a last-minute goal dashed their hopes, leaving fans frustrated and calling for changes in the squad.

Due to the disappointing results, former coach Fabián Bustos has departed, leading to the temporary appointments of Alva and Barreto. They plan to stick closely to the formation that proved effective in their last domestic matches, with key players such as Sebastián Britos in goal, backed by a solid defense of César Inga, Williams Riveros, and Matías Di Benedetto.

Barcelona SC, conversely, comes into the match boasting solid results in the group stage, having secured four points from their first two matches, including a draw against River Plate and a victory over Independiente del Valle. Coach Segundo Castillo has received praise for the team’s performance, although he will miss Brian Oyola and Joao Rojas due to injuries.

The starting line-up for Barcelona will include goalkeeper José Contreras and defenders Bryan Carabalí, Xavier Arreaga, Gustavo Vallecilla, and Aníbal Chalá. They are supported in midfield by Dixon Arroyo and Jesús Trindade, with Janner Corozo, Joaquín Valiente, and Octavio Rivero leading the attack.

This match is crucial for both teams, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter that could shift the dynamics of Group B.