In the first leg of the 2023 Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals, Botafogo will welcome Defensa y Justicia to Nilton Santos Stadium for a pivotal clash.
Botafogo hosts Defensa y Justicia in the opening tie of the Copa Sudamericana quarter-finals for 2023. Nestled at the Nilton Santos Olympic Stadium, this matchup pairs a recent continental winner with a club chasing its inaugural South American glory. The home side arrives as a seasoned force in the competition, while the visitors seek to assert themselves on the continental stage for the first time in club history.
Botafogo advanced to the quarter-finals by edging Guarani with a 2-1 aggregate score, thanks to goals from Hugo Goncalves Ferreira Neto and Tiquinho Soares. The home team showed resilience across the two legs, turning a tight contest into a favorable result as the tie progressed.
Defensa y Justicia moved on by defeating Emelec 3-1 in the Round of 16, with goals from Nicolas Fernandez, Gaston Togni, and David Barbona aiding their campaign toward further success in the tournament.
Copa Sudamericana 2023: schedule, matchups, and what to expect as the tournament reaches its knockout phase.
BOTAFOGO VS DEFENSE AND JUSTICE: DATE AND STARTING TIME
HOW TO WATCH BOTAFOGO VS DEFENSE AND JUSTICE ONLINE: CHANNELS AND BROADCASTS
HEAD-TO-HEAD: THE LAST FIVE ENCOUNTERS
FORMATIONS
BOTAFOGO
To confirm.
DEFENSE AND JUSTICE
To confirm.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Note: The first leg at Nilton Santos is expected to set the tone for the tie, with tactical depth and individual quality likely to influence the balance of play. Botafogo, familiar with high-pressure continental fixtures, will aim to control midfield tempo and exploit counter-attacking transitions. Defensa y Justicia, buoyed by a confident Round of 16 performance, will look to press high, disrupt build-up, and create dangerous moments through quick combinations in the final third. The result of this encounter could hinge on how well each side translates chances into goals and whether home advantage translates into a lead heading into the return leg. (Goal)