The squad led by Nicolás Núñez travels to confront the Azucenas in search of their first victory after opening with a draw against Botafogo.
The Rodrigo Paz Delgado stadium will host the clash between the two teams, a match corresponding to the second date of Group A in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana, a fixture that keeps fans tuned to a tense race in South American football.
The team coached by Luis Zubeldía arrives with high expectations following a 2-1 triumph over César Vallejo in Trujillo. With that win, the Azucenas extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches, boasting five wins and two draws. Notably, the Ecuadorian side enters this tournament as one of the most active and successful teams, recording the most games played, goals scored, and victories in the competition’s history to date, underscoring their status as a persistent force in the region.
The Academy, meanwhile, has a chance to widen the gap in the standings after a valuable 2-2 draw with Botafogo in Rancagua. The match featured the expulsion of Carlos Villanueva in the 50th minute of the second half, a turning point that the home side could not fully capitalize on. That draw represented Fogão’s first league point since May 2018, a reminder of the historic competitiveness on the continent. Across the tournament, Albinegro has played ten matches with six wins and four losses, illustrating a balanced but competitive profile that pleases their fan base.
Historically, the carnation-clad group had not featured in the group stage of a CONMEBOL competition since 1985, when they faced Peñarol, Colo Colo and Bella Vista in Group 4 of the Copa Libertadores, a memory that makes their current campaign stir extra excitement among supporters and analysts alike.
Locally, the Universitarios, champions of the 2009 season, recently tasted defeat at home for the first time in a league fixture, suffering a 0-1 loss to Barcelona. That result left them in fourth in the LigaPro with 10 points, three adrift of the leaders Independiente del Valle, underscoring a tightly packed table that can shift quickly with a single decisive performance. Conversely, the Núñez-led side fell 2-0 to Everton, a setback that extended a troubling run of four straight matches without a league win, leaving them in the penultimate rung and just one point above the relegation zone in a difficult stretch.
The upcoming Azucenas versus Academy showdown will be broadcast live on ESPN 3, with regional channel availability varying by operator. Specifically, the following carriers provide access to the match: VCR on channels 153 (SD) and 842 (HD); DTV on 626 (SD) and 1626 (HD); ENTEL on 216 (HD); BRIGHT on 176 (SD) and 476 (HD); GTD/TELSUR on 86 (SD) and 854 (HD); MOVISTAR on 495 (SD) and 887 (HD); YOU SEE on 108 (HD) and 512 (HD); ZAPPING on 92 (HD).
For fans preferring streaming, the platform Star+ offers access through its subscription plans, available on various devices including televisions, computers, mobile phones, tablets, and consoles. Subscriptions can be purchased through the official site, and users should check local availability and promocodes that may apply for monthly or annual plans. This service remains a popular option for followers in North America who want to catch live action without traditional cable packages, especially during midweek fixtures that draw strong viewership across Canada and the United States.
Ultimately, both teams arrive with clear aims: to gain momentum in a competitive group, to capture an early lead in the standings, and to showcase their depth under pressure. As the action unfolds, supporters will be watching closely for tactical adjustments, key player performances, and moments that could tilt a tightly contested group toward a favorable outcome for either side.
[citation] Goal, Americas sports desk, for background on team histories and fixture context.