Old acquaintance. The semi-final between Melgar and Independiente del Valle will have a very special meaning for them Pablo Lavallen. The last time the red-black coach faced Matagigantes was in a Copa Sudamericana final and he doesn’t have fond memories of that episode.
A few hours before the game against the Ecuadorian team, the Argentina coach admitted that he is motivated for this game and sees it as a good opportunity to make history with Dominoes.
“He’s a rival who left me without being a champion. You and mine are different teams. Pellerano, Schunke, Segovia, there aren’t that many players from this team. Personally, I assume I’m going up against a rival I already know, but it’s not a rematch, it’s a nice opportunity to lead a Peruvian team to the final. That motivates me the most,” he said in a dialogue with Ecuagol.
Lavallén assured that he has found a squad that wants to transcend and a directive with clear horizons. Photo: Melgar
Although the black and blue line-up has more international experience and regularly competes in the Conmebol tournaments, Lavallén believes its leaders have come at good time after eliminating several greats on the continent.
“They were champions of the 2019 South American Championship and reached a Libertadores final. In that sense, we have less experience. But we think it will be a balanced key because we have a strong momentum because we have played against important teams like Racing, River de Uruguay, Cuiabá and Inter in this cup. That gives you confidence. Now we will find a team more similar to ours. In fact, it seems to me to be one of the best in terms of the collective. However, we know that they also have places where we can do damage.
When does Melgar vs. Valley play independently?
Melgar vs. Independiente del Valle LIVE will determine one of the finalists of the Copa Sudamericana 2022 over two legs. The first of these takes place TODAY, August 31, in Ecuador, from 7:30 p.m. (Peruvian and Ecuadorian time) at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado Stadium in Quito.