Liga de Quito hopes to extend its reputation as a giant against Argentine teams this Wednesday, when it faces Defensa y Justicia in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana-2023 semifinals.

The myth can get bigger at the Rodrigo Paz Stadium if the Albies get a long-awaited home win. The league played twenty games in the Copa Sudamericana with Argentine clubs, winning nine and drawing five.

In their desire to destroy the legend of the lilies, the modest Defensa y Justicia also shows its statistics. What stands out about his men is that they are unbeaten since 2020, when they were crowned champions of the competition. A year later, they won the Recopa Sudamericana.

Since then, the Halcones have not felt the thorn of defeat in 13 consecutive games – nine wins and four draws – in the direct elimination phase of the Sudamericana.

With more goals than Liga in this edition of the tournament, Defensa (21) is calmer in terms of effectiveness in front of goal. While goals in dribbles are a nightmare for Argentine coach Luis Zubeldía, who commands the students.

Liga, champions of the 2008 Libertadores, 2009 Sudamericana and 2009 and 2010 Recopa Sudamericana, qualified for the semi-finals by beating Brazil’s Sao Paulo in stoppage time.

Buoyed by a 1-0 win over Orense last Friday that saw them move into first place in the second stage of the Liga Pro Serie A, Quito U will welcome the Argentinian side starting at 17:00 Ecuadorian time.

Liga Quito vs. Defense and justice – live story