The Red Devils step onto the continent’s grand stage as they enter the top club competition, greeting the Academy at the Ester Roa Rebolledo stadium. In Concepción, this iconic venue hosts a decisive Group A opener that kicks off the 2023 Copa Libertadores. The Chilean side faces Flamengo, the current champions, alongside Aucas of Ecuador, in a trio that promises early drama, momentum, and a clear signal of title ambitions in the opening exchanges.
For the club rooted in Chile’s heartland, this marks the Libertadores journey’s fresh chapter. The team has previously tasted continental action in the Copa Sudamericana in 2008 and 2022 since the modern Libertadores format began in 1960, and the club will pursue its twelfth appearance in the coveted continental championship. The club’s history includes a classic 1967 league crown, deep runs with a pair of semi-final appearances in 1968 and 1997, and a long arc of ambition that now seeks to add new milestones to the Libertadores record books.
Domestically, the Jaime García–led squad arrives eager to build on recent form after a 2-1 win over O’Higgins. The goals came from Alex Valdés and Patricio Rubio, snapping a six-game winless streak and lifting the side from Ñuble into ninth place with 11 points, eight behind the leaders Huachipato and Universidad Católica. That victory injects momentum as the league campaign moves toward the fourth round of the Nacional Championship and the broader Libertadores campaign ahead.
Television and streaming options for fans wanting to watch unfold across borders were discussed in regional media circles: the Avellaneda-based Flamengo, buoyed by the return of defender Óscar Opazo and goalkeeper Gabriel Arias from a 2-1 league win against Huracán on the ninth matchday, remains firmly in the championship conversation. Flamengo sits third on 17 points, level with San Lorenzo and Rosario Central, and just four points off the leaders as the domestic season continues to heat up while the Libertadores clock ticks. The balance of club energy across domestic and continental duties adds an extra layer of intensity to this opening Group A clash, with players and coaches balancing short-term results against longer-term continental aspirations.
The on-field action will be managed by Colombian referee Bismark Santiago, who will be assisted by Jhon Gallego and Alberth Alarcón. The fourth official is Maria Victoria Daza. In the VAR booth will be Jorge Guzmán and Víctor Raez, with Julio Bascuñán serving as referee advisor. This team of officials is expected to keep a tight lid on the pace and a clear line on physicality, helping guide a contest that combines disciplined tactics with moments of individual brilliance. For players, the match represents a chance to make a mark on a prestigious stage and for fans to witness a clash where nerves can give way to standout performances as the Group A dynamics begin to take shape. The narrative around debuts and veterans alike adds another layer of drama to a fixture that holds immediate significance for both sides as they chase an early qualification push.