El Verdolaga, Group Leader, Aims to Move Three Points Clear at Home
El Verdolaga stands atop Group H and looks to extend the advantage with a victory on home soil, enhancing the distance to the rest of the pack and building momentum for the Libertadores Cup 2023 campaign. The team travels with the weight of expectation as they host one of South America’s oldest football institutions, Olimpia from Paraguay, in Medellín for the third round of fixtures.
Securing leadership in the group and edging closer to the knockout stages is the clear objective for the Colombian side. The matchup against Olimpia is framed as a pivotal moment in the early stages of the competition, with Nacional aiming to capitalize on their home crowd and stay firmly on track to reach the round of 16.
FOLLOW LIVE NATIONAL – OLYMPIA
El Verdolaga arrives in confident mood after consecutive league wins over Unión and Medellín, results that have sharpened the squad’s confidence for the international clash against the Paraguayan club, a team with a long and proud Libertadores tradition.
Coach Paulo Autuori is expected to preserve the core of the side that prevailed in recent domestic derbies, while welcoming the return of key contributors Andrés Felipe Román and Dorlan Pabón. The tactical plan is anticipated to balance stability with attacking intent to overcome Olimpia on home soil.
On the other side, Diego Aguirre has taken the strongest players to Colombia, and Olimpia is likely to field a lineup similar to the one that faced Nacional in Asunción on the previous round, aiming for a compact, organized performance that can withstand the pressure of the return leg and translate chances into goals.
HOLDERS OF NATIONAL – OLYMPIA
National: Roman, Castro, Zapata, Banguero; Candelo, Palacio, Gomez; Pabon; Duke, Jader.
Olympia: Oliveira; Salazar, Zarate, Gamarra, Torres; Ortiz, Gomez; Cardozo, Silva, Fernandez; Paiva.
WHEN AND WHERE IS IT NATIONAL – OLYMPIA
CALLED FROM NATIONAL – OLYMPIA
National:
National
Olympia:
Olympia
MATCH TIME WHERE TO SEE ON TV
The match is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 7:00 PM Colombia time, under lights that promise an electric atmosphere in Medellín.
Atletico Nacional’s Recent Form
National has secured important wins and entered the Libertadores clash with renewed confidence, building a solid foundation that supports their ambitions in South America’s premier club competition.
Upcoming Matches for Atletico Nacional
Attention will be on the sequence of fixtures that follows, as the club seeks consistency across domestic and continental commitments while advancing in the standings.
Olimpia’s Recent Form
Olimpia comes into the tie with a track record of resilience and a roster capable of embracing big moments on the continental stage. The squad’s balance between defense and attack will be crucial as they visit Colombia in pursuit of three valuable points.
Olimpia’s Next Fixtures
As the group stage unfolds, Olimpia will be focused on maintaining momentum, with upcoming matches that could determine whether they advance to the next round or face a tougher path to qualification.
Note: This match review reflects the Libertadores action from the 2023 edition and presents the teams’ standing and preparation ahead of the fixture in Medellín.