Olimpia Asuncion vs Melgar

The stakes are high as Olimpia Asuncion and FBC Melgar square off in the final group-stage round of the 2023 Copa Libertadores.

Olimpia Asuncion’s Copa Libertadores Group H campaign has been an utter success thus far as they entertain the prospect of qualifying for the knockout stages without losing a game (W3, D2). Their phenomenal showings across the opening five rounds have fired them to the top of the section, albeit they still need a win here to cement a top-table finish. The Paraguayan heavyweights are seemingly in a prime position to do just that after winning their last two continental outings by an aggregate score of 5-0. Delivering action from the get-go, Diego Aguirre’s side netted an opening goal within the first 20 minutes of play in both occasions, underscoring the possibility for a quick-fire start. Adding to this sentiment, the spoils were shared in the reverse fixture in Peru, with both goals in that 1-1 draw coming by the 20th minute.

Meanwhile, visiting Melgar steamrolled to an emphatic 5-0 home triumph over Patronato in the previous round, netting a remarkable four first-half goals to get off the mark in Group H following a four-game winless start (D1, L3). After steering one point away from the rock-bottom Argentinean outfit, they are in the driver’s seat to reach the Copa Sudamericana knockouts, although everything’s still up in the air. That’s especially considering they’ve lost both away matches in Group H this season by multi-goal margins despite scoring on each occasion. Manager Mariano Soso will be desperate for a better first-half performance from his team after overseeing a brace of halftime defeats on Melgar’s continental travels this term by a total score of 3-0.