The Copa Libertadores Femenina will begin this Thursday in the Colombian cities of Bogotá and Cali, where reigning champions Palmeiras will begin their title defense against Ecuador’s Barcelona on the first day of Group A of the continental competition.

There will be a total of 20 players who will represent the champions, and among them are some of the heroines of the title won in 2022, such as central defender Poliana Barbosa, winger Bruna Calderano and forward Bia Zaneratta.

Two additions to Ricardo Belli’s team this season also appear: Argentines Lorena Benítez and Yamila Rodríguez.

At the Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali, Verdão They will face the Ecuadorians, who will play in a continental tournament for the first time in their history, and with respect for the opponents they will face.

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“We consider ourselves a strong team, just like the ones we will have to face, whom we respect, but we will go in search of glory,” said Barcelona coach Wendy Billón, before he flew to Colombia, where this Copa is being held Libertadores Femenina.

The Guayaquil team will be competing in their first tournament after defeating Dragonas del Independiente del Valle, who were the best team in the regular season of the 2023 Women’s Super League, in the final last September.

The coach, who has won four of the five Super Leagues played so far, was confident in the team she has, since she will have Madelin Riera, the top scorer in the five editions of the Ecuadorian Women’s Super League (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023).

Likewise, Billón will have Venezuelan goalkeeper Maleike Pacheco, defenders Karla Capurro and Samantha Avilés; among others, flyers Éricka Gracia and Inés Jhonson. (D)