Romero highlights the weight of Cruzeiro’s opponent in the South American Championship < In Attack

Captain of Cruzeiro, midfielder Lucas Romero praised Universidad Católica, the Minas Gerais club’s opponent in the first round of the group stage of the Copa Sudamericana. The teams will face each other this Thursday (4/4), at 9 pm, at the Atahualpa Olympic Stadium, in Quito, Ecuador.

Romero held a press conference this Wednesday afternoon (3/4), at the hotel where the celestial delegation is staying in the Ecuadorian capital. ‘El Perro’ highlighted Católica’s strengths and highlighted the importance of the competition.

“We know how important the team is not only in Ecuador, but also internationally. We have a great team that works on opponent analysis and we prepared very well. It took two weeks of work at Data Fifa and we were able to focus the group on the commitments ahead. It’s difficult to have to work (between games) with this travel time, you have to arrive and have to rest.”

Lucas Romero, Cruzeiro midfielder.

“We are very prepared and analyzed our rival. It is a rival that is very difficult at home and is doing very well, offering a game and having outstanding players. We know that international competitions are tough matches and require 100% focus”, he added.

Universidad Católica is undefeated this season. According to statistics from the Ogol website, Trenzinho Azul won three matches in the Ecuadorian Championship (3-0 over El Nacional, 1-0 over Libertad de Loja and 5-1 against Orense). Furthermore, they drew 3-3 with Deportivo Cuenca.

Strength of the Catholic University

Universidad Católica is looking for the first international title in its history. The team participated in five editions of the Copa Libertadores (1974, 1980, 2021, 2022 and 2023) and eight of the Copa Sudamericana (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024).

The most important titles are three trophies from the Ecuadorian Second Division (1990, 2007, 2012) and one from the Third Division (1998). The team never conquered the local football elite, remaining in second place on two occasions (1973 and 1979).

Cruzeiro group in the Copa Sudamericana

Cruzeiro and Universidad Católica are in Group B of the South American Championship, alongside Unión La Calera, from Chile, and Alianza, from Colombia. Only the group leader will advance directly to the round of 16. The second placed team will play in the repechage.