Melgar will face Aurora in Arequipa for the second leg of the first phase of the Copa Libertadores.
Today, Wednesday, February 14, Melgar will receive Aurora from Bolivia at the UNSA Monumental stadium in Arequipa for the second leg of the first phase of the Copa Libertadores. The ‘domino’ team will go with the goal of turning around the tie after the poor result in the first leg, when they lost 1-0 at the Félix Capriles stadium.
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Those led by Pablo De Muner had a terrible start to the season, as they added three consecutive defeats, two in the Apertura Tournament of League 1: against Cusco FC at home and César Vallejo as a visitor, both by a score of 3-2 , and that which occurred due to the international competition. However, last weekend, they managed to break that terrible streak by beating Alianza Atlético 1-0 with an agonizing goal from Bernardo Cuesta, a result that allows them to reach the commitment with the ‘altiplano’ with better spirits and confidence.
Melgar defeated Alianza Atlético 1-0 on date 3 of the Apertura Tournament of League 1 2024
For this return match, the Arequipeños will not be able to count on one of their most important elements such as Kenji Cabrera, who was sent off in Cochabamba for a double yellow card. The skilled 21-year-old midfielder had been key, entering in the second half and refreshing the team’s attack.
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A factor in favor of the Mistanos is that they arrive with a greater pace of competition than the ‘celestial warriors’, who have only played one official match so far this year; precisely his victory in the first leg with a goal from Martín Alaníz; This is because the Bolivian championship will only begin this weekend.
Melgar lost 1-0 to Aurora in the first leg of phase 1 of the Copa Libertadores 2024
The duel between FBC Melgar and Club Aurora will take place at 7:30 p.m. Peruvian time and 8:30 p.m. Bolivian time. In the rest of the South American countries, the times will be as follows: 7:30 p.m. in Ecuador and Colombia, 8:30 p.m. in Venezuela and 9:30 p.m. in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile and Brazil.
Many of the ‘domino’ fans’ hopes are based on what Bernardo Cuesta can do, who had a very good start to the season with four goals in four games. He debuted in the nets, converting in the 3-2 defeat against Cusco FC, later, in Trujillo he scored a double against César Vallejo, although it was not enough to avoid a new 3-2 loss. The first leg against Aurora was the only one in which he was unable to score, but this weekend he had his revenge by scoring the only goal of the game against Alianza Atlético, from a penalty in the 90th minute.
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Let us remember that ‘Berni’ has scored seven goals with Melgar in the Copa Libertadores, he scored one in 2016 and 2018, two in 2019 and three in 2023. These numbers make him the club’s top scorer internationally.
Bernardo Cuesta celebrates his first goal in League 1 2024 against Cusco FC – Credit: Melgar
If they win by any result that involves a goal difference, the key will be defined in the penalty shootout, that is, there will be no extra time nor will the away goal rule be implemented. Likewise, if they win by two goals or more, they will automatically advance to the second phase of the Copa Libertadores. On the contrary, Aurora is better off with both a draw and a win.
Let’s remember that, if the ‘red and black’ team manages to advance to the round, they will have to face Botafogo, an old local acquaintance like Tiago Nunes. The hypothetical first leg would be on Wednesday, February 21 in Arequipa, while the rematch on Wednesday the 28th at the Nilton Santos stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
The last time Melgar eliminated a Bolivian team was Nacional de Potosi in the 2020 Copa Sudamericana. – credits: Ovación de Sur