Following the postponement of the first leg of this semi-final due to the discovery of several cases of COVID-19 among the Defensa y Justicia team, the tie is set to go ahead this week at the Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso, a move that will likely benefit Defensa's hosts more than the visitors.
Coquimbo Unido, the only side left in the Copa Sudamericana that do not ply their trade in Buenos Aires, will be looking to become the first Chilean team to advance to the final since Universidad de Chile, who went on to win the cup back in 2011.
Match preview
For Coquimbo to push on to the final, head coach Juan Jose Ribera will certainly have his work cut out.
His side, who are currently rock-bottom in the Primera Division, have had a markedly poor domestic season and their recent form reflects that.
Las Piratas come into this game with just one win in their last five matches, with Ribera's men only managing to find the back of the net once in that time.
However, despite their league woes, Coquimbo have fought hard to reach this stage of the Copa Sudamericana and their fans will no doubt expect them to push their Argentine opponents hard when they take to the field this week.
After what has been a challenging season for Las Piratas, in more ways than one, a high-profile clash with either Velez Sarsfield or Lanus in the final could work out to be the fairytale ending that Coquimbo so badly need in what is their first ever season of Copa Sudamericana football, having only returned to the Chilean top flight after a 12-year absence in 2019.
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On the other hand, despite a challenging start to the season, Hernan Crespo's Defensa y Justicia have gradually found form in recent months and will look favourably upon their trip to Chile for the first leg.
In order to reach the penultimate round of the competition, Defensa had to muster their strength to see off Brazilians Bahia. Following a dramatic 3-2 away win in the first leg, the tie culminated in a fiery encounter that saw Nelson Acevedo pick up a red card.
Despite the histrionics, Crespo will be able to take pride in his side's cup exploits and the former Argentina striker will no doubt hope his side can take that form into this tie.
An international cup run of such pedigree is pretty special for Defensa, who were only promoted to Argentina's top flight for the first time in 2014.
However, now they are within touching distance of this historic triumph, Crespo will be eager to take advantage of the opportunity.
Coquimbo Unido Copa Sudamericana form: WWDWWL
Coquimbo Unido form (all competitions): WLLLLLW
Defensa y Justicia Copa Sudamericana form: WDDWWW
Defensa y Justicia form (all competitions): WWDWWL
Team News
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The big news going into this tie concerns the COVID-19 outbreak in the Defensa team. Official sources reported that the infected included Washington Camacho, Francisco Pizzini and Rafael Delgado, all of whom are unlikely to feature at all in this game.
Ribera rolled the dice during his side's 1-0 win against Huachipato last time out, bringing players like Jose Aguilera and Rafael Arace into the starting XI.
No coach likes to change a winning side, but for a match of this magnitude, Ribera is likely to reinstate a number of his first-team regulars like Ruben Farfan and Joe Abrigo in attack.
Due to the outbreak, Crespo's side have not played since the first weekend of 2021, so will be able to field a completely fresh starting XI in this tie.
Coquimbo Unido possible starting lineup:
Cano; Espinoza, Chang, Osorio, J Salas; Vidal, Aravena, Farfan, Abrigo, C Salas; Palacios
Defensa y Justicia possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Ramirez, Herrera, Breitenbruch, Gallardo; Koot, Escalante, Gonzalez, Hachen, Merentiel; Leguizamon
We say: Coquimbo Unido 0-2 Defensa y Justicia
While a win on home soil would do wonders for Coquimbo going into the second leg, there is a notable gulf in class between the two sides and we think Crespo's Defensa could take a big advantage back to Buenos Aires. Leguizamon has looked particularly hungry in recent weeks and his impact could be the difference between the two sides.
Top betting tip
Francis Buchanan
