Independiente del Valle hosts Flamengo in Copa Libertadores quarterfinals

Some matches get circled on the calendar the moment the draw comes out, and this is one of them. Independiente del Valle hosts Flamengo this Thursday, September 10 at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa, in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals. It's the kind of matchup that carries the scent of history for the Ecuadorian club and the weight of obligation for the reigning continental champion, who simply must keep advancing.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. (Ecuador, Colombia and Peru time) and 9:30 p.m. (Argentina, Uruguay and Chile time), with the match airing across South America through Disney+'s Premium plan.

A heavyweight test for IDV

Independiente del Valle has put together a solid campaign in this Libertadores, and now faces its toughest exam yet: knocking the reigning champion off its throne. For Joaquin Papa's side, it's hard to imagine a bigger game so far this year. Standing in their way is a Flamengo squad loaded with talent, notably featuring two Ecuadorians on its roster: Gonzalo Plata and Anthony Valencia. Plata, in fact, arrived at Flamengo almost as a last minute signing after his move to Dynamo Moscow fell through.

On the Ecuadorian side, the core lineup is already familiar to continental rivals: Aldair Quintana between the posts, backed by the experience of Richard Schunke and Mateo Carabajal in defense. Hugo Quintana and Junior Sornoza patrol the midfield, while up front the scoring burden falls on Emerson Pata and Carlos Gonzalez.

Flamengo, meanwhile, lines up with Agustin Rossi in goal and the center back pairing of Leo Ortiz and Leo Pereira. Jorginho orchestrates play from midfield, with Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Samuel Lino and Pedro leading the attacking options, alongside the previously mentioned Valencia and Plata.

As for recent form, Independiente del Valle arrives off a 3-1 win over Macara in the Liga Ecuabet. Flamengo, for its part, edged out a narrow win on the road against Remo in the Brasileirao.

The most recent chapter between these two sides has a happy ending for the Ecuadorians: the second leg of the 2023 Recopa Sudamericana final, played on March 1 in Rio de Janeiro. Flamengo won that night 1-0 to level the aggregate score, after Independiente had claimed the same scoreline in Quito. Everything was decided on penalties, where Independiente del Valle took the title 5-4.

That memory could provide a morale boost, though the context now is different: this is a Copa Libertadores quarterfinal, played over two legs, against a Flamengo side that arrives as the clear favorite to defend its crown.