The Academy Enters the Continental Stage Against Botafogo in Group A
The Academy begins its participation in the continental competition by hosting Botafogo in Group A, a group that also includes Liga de Quito and César Vallejo.
This year marks Magellaness debut in the Copa Sudamericana 2023. The team will face Botafogo on the opening matchday of Group A, with Liga de Quito and César Vallejo already earning a victory for the Azucenas in Trujillo on the opening night.
Nicolás Núñez’s squad advanced to this round after navigating two prior stages in the Copa Libertadores. They first defeated Always Ready with a 1-6 aggregate score, only to be eliminated by Independiente Medellín. In the first leg the score was 1-1, keeping the window open, but in the return Luciano Pons sealed the Carabeleros’ hopes with a brace at Atanasio Girardot.
In domestic league play, the Albicelestes arrive at this clash near the bottom of the table with eight points, earned through two wins, two draws, and five losses. Their most recent appearance ended in a 3-2 defeat to Palestine, extending a run of three games without a win.
Meanwhile, Botafogo finished fifth in the Carioca regular season, missing out on the semi-finals. They will contest the final of the local cup against River in a key that will be decided soon after a clash with Audax Rio de Janeiro. The Albinegro opened the scoring with goals from Tiquinho and Gustavo Sauer, taking an early lead in the Municipal General Raulino de Oliveira stadium.
Previous context and recent form:
- Botafogo will be Magallanes’ first Brazilian opponent in CONMEBOL competitions. The Fogão have lost in only one of their last seven matches against Chilean sides in CONMEBOL tournaments (3 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss).
- Magallanes have lost just one of their last five home matches in CONMEBOL competitions, with two wins and two draws; they were defeated 1-3 by Colo-Colo in the 1985 Libertadores edition.
- Botafogo has accumulated nine away games in CONMEBOL tournaments without a draw, recording four wins and five losses. Their last away equalizer was a 1-1 draw with Barcelona de Guayaquil in the 2017 Libertadores.
Fans can watch the match between the Carabeleros and the Fogão via ESPN, with broadcasts available on various regional feed options depending on the cable operator:
- VTR: 48 (SD) (Santiago) – 843 (HD)
- DTV: 621 (SD) – 1620 (HD)
- ENTEL: 212 (HD)
- BRIGHT: 174 (SD) – 474 (HD)
- GTD/TELSUR: 84 (SD)
- MOVISTAR: 480 (SD) – 884 (HD)
- YOU SEE: 508 (SD)
- ZAP: 90 (HD)
In addition, viewers can catch streaming through Star+, which offers monthly and annual subscription plans. Access is available on televisions, computers, mobile devices, tablets, and game consoles. To subscribe, visit starplus.com. This service is subject to regional availability and may require a compatible streaming device. (Goal)