Corinthians suffered to move to the third phase of Libertadores by beating Venezuela Universidad Central, 3-2, with Yuri Alberto’s goal in the final minutes of the match. Now the alvinegro will face Barcelona from Ecuador. If you qualify, you will go to the tournament group stage.
It brings the main information about the Ecuadorian team, Timão’s opponent.
MORE: Corinthians: awards for passing phase in Libertadores
Barcelona campaign at Libertadores
Barcelona entered the same phase of Corinthians in the so-called pre-liberators. The team was drawn to face El Nacional, also from Ecuador, and won the first game, away from home, 1-0.
In the return game, playing in his domains, lost and had a player sent off, making the situation of the game complicated. The team, however, was able to look for the draw with Octavio Rivero goal and secured the place to face Corinthians.
In history, Barcelona played for Libertadores 31 times, with two runners-up, in 1990 and 1998, this Monday when he lost his decision to Vasco.
MORE: Pre-Liberators 2025: Switching and Games
In 2024, the team was eliminated in the group stage of Libertadores, in key with Sao Paulo, Tallers and Cobresal. The team was in third place, with six points in six games, going to the South American, where they fell to Red Bull Bragantino in the knockout.
How Barcelona is in the Ecuadorian Championship
The Ecuadorian Championship began on February 14 and Barcelona played two matches for the National Tournament, having won both games: 3-2 against Manta and 1-0 against Mushuc Runa. The team is the second -placed From the tournament, with six points, same number of Deportivo Cuenca, the leader for the tiebreaker criteria.
Last season, it was in third place with 56 points in 30 games, behind LDU and Independiente del Valle, both with 65 points.
LEAKING OF BARCELONA
The coach according to Castillo became Barcelona coach at the end of last season after the resignation of Ariel Holan, who worked at Santos in Brazilian football. This is Castillo’s first time as a coach-until then, the former player had only assistant technical.
The base team of this season has so far the untouchable Contrerasgoalkeeper, and the attackers Corozo e Octavio Riverowho played as holders in the four matches. In addition to them, the defenders Carabalí, Pinea e Rangel and midfielders Leonai Souza, Arroyo, Brave e Quiñónez frequently appeared in the team. The only position that does not have an “owner” is the defender, with campus and Vallecilla vying for two matches each so far.
Time base do Barcelona: Contreras; Carabalí, Rangel, Campi (Vallecilla) and Pineida; Leonai Souza and Quiñónez; Arroyo, Valiente Corozo; Octavio Rivero. Technical: Second castle.
Barcelona Highlights of the Season
- Contreras – The goalkeeper is the absolute holder of Barcelona’s goal. The 30 -year -old Venezuelan player has spent two of the four games so far of the season without conceding goals.
- Leonai Souza – The 29-year-old Brazilian midfielder is Barcelona’s assistance leader of the season with two. The player is a key player of the coach’s team according to Castillo.
- Octavio Rivero – The striker is one of the untouchables of Barcelona’s starting lineup this season. He was the team’s top scorer in 2024 and started 2025 with three goals in four matches.
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Barcelona’s top scorer in the season
Octavio Rivero is Barcelona’s top scorer so far, with three goals scored in four games. The 33-year-old Uruguayan athlete began his career at Uruguay’s Central Español and had a passage through Rentists, Vancouver Whitecaps, Colo-Colo, Atlas, National, Santos Laguna, Unión La Calera, Unión Española, Racing and Defensor Sporting before arriving at Barcelona.
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In the Ecuadorian team since last season, he has scored 14 goals in 21 games, and contributed to assistance. In 2024, it was also Barcelona’s largest scorer, alongside Francisco Fydriszewski, both with 11 goals. Fydriszewski left Barcelona this season and now operates at Colombia’s Independiente Medellin.
