RB Bragantino vs Barcelona

RB Bragantino and Barcelona SC are set to trade tackles in their evenly-poised Copa Sudamericana playoff tie at the Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid.

Despite spurning an early lead in a 1-1 first-leg draw in Guayaquil, Bragantino gave themselves a fighting chance in this tie with a stubborn performance in the reverse fixture. More heavily fancied to reach the quarter-finals, Bragantino must defy their abysmal run of just one win from their last four competitive matches (D1, L2) to live up to expectations. ‘Massa Bruta’ will turn to their superb home form for inspiration, with Pedro Caixinha winning their last four games at the Estadio Nabi Abi Chedid by an 8-3 aggregate score. Delivering action from the get-go, Bragantino opened the scoring inside the opening eight minutes in three of those four fixtures, highlighting the potential for a quick-fire start.

In the meantime, Barcelona’s pursuit of their maiden Copa Sudamericana title is up in the air amidst the team’s mini-crisis. After four successive wins, the visitors’ form has spiraled (D1, L1), pouring pressure on head coach Ariel Holan ahead of this trip. Unfortunately for the Argentine tactician, Barcelona’s continental performances in 2024 have been disastrous. A 2-1 home win against Cobresal in the final round of the Copa Libertadores group stages salvaged the Ecuadorians’ continental campaign following an abysmal five-game winless start to their Group B campaign (D3, L2). However, though they failed to win on the road, Barcelona eked out two draws in three Copa Libertadores away games earlier in the season (L1), suggesting they could take this tie to extra time or penalties.