Olimpia takes the field this Wednesday at 7 p.m. (Asunción time) at the Defensores del Chaco Stadium to face Vasco da Gama in the fifth round of Copa Sudamericana Group G. The match, officiated by Colombian Wilmar Roldán, is being treated as a final by the Paraguayan side, which needs only its own results to advance to the round of 16.
Coach Pablo “Vitamina” Sánchez confirmed three injury absentees: captain Richard Ortiz, midfielder Richard Sánchez, and forward Iván Leguizamón. Ortiz, described by the coach as “the soul of the team,” has not recovered from an injury sustained in the match against Barracas Central in Buenos Aires on May 6. Leguizamón suffered a knee sprain after being sent off in the same game and still has inflammation. Sánchez, who has not featured regularly since his arrival, has not recovered from a muscle injury. Additionally, Romeo Benítez is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
“We know Richard Ortiz is a significant loss because of everything he means to the group. He is with us day to day, in the locker room, and that is important. Tactically, we will try to cover for him as best we can,” Sánchez said at a press conference on the eve of the match. The coach also highlighted his confidence in the players who will take the field: “Whoever steps in has our full confidence, and that of their teammates, the board, and, we hope, the fans.”
For the clash, Sánchez will make three changes from the last Paraguayan Championship match, a 3-2 win over Recoleta FC. The main novelty is Fernando Cardozo’s return to the starting lineup. “When the heat is on and these tough games come around, he delivers,” the coach assessed. The other changes are Alex Franco and Hugo Quintana coming into midfield.
Olimpia’s probable lineup, according to local press reports, is: Gastón Olveira; Raúl Cáceres, Bryan Bentaberry, Mateo Gamarra, Alan Rodríguez; Alex Franco, Juan Alfaro, Hugo Quintana; Fernando Cardozo, Eduardo Delmás, and Adrián Alcaraz. Defender Gustavo Vargas, who spent the night in the hospital due to flu-like symptoms, has recovered and will be on the bench.
Olimpia clinched the Paraguayan Championship title early, which, according to Sánchez, would have allowed for smoother rotation. However, injuries complicated the plans. “The dream is still intact,” the coach assured, adding that he hopes to have Ortiz available for the final group-stage match against Audax Italiano on May 27, though there are no guarantees.