Liga de Quito Looks to Bounce Back Against Mirassol in Libertadores Round of 16 Under Gustavo Alvarez

After a stumble that snapped a perfect run, Liga de Quito is already looking ahead. The Rey de Copas now has its mind set on the Copa Libertadores round of 16, and this Thursday, August 13, it will play the first leg against Mirassol at Estadio Jose Maria de Campos Maia, starting at 5:00 p.m. (Ecuador, Colombia and Peru time), 6:00 p.m. in Chile and 7:00 p.m. in Argentina and Uruguay. Fans looking to watch live can find the match on Disney+'s Premium Plan.

The context is anything but ordinary. Liga had been on a solid run under Gustavo Alvarez, but the Liga Ecuabet dealt it a blow: a loss to Independiente del Valle, a result that marked the Argentine coach's first defeat in this cycle at the helm of the white squad. There was no time to dwell on it. The squad got back to training and has been in Brazil since Wednesday, fine-tuning the last details for a matchup that promises to be tight.

The list of injury absences complicates things for Alvarez. He won't be able to count on Gabriel Villamil, Leonel Quinonez, Jose Quintero, Alexander Alvarado and Kevin Velasco. Those are notable losses, but the rest of the squad is available, giving him room to put together a competitive lineup.

How Liga de Quito Would Line Up

Everything points to Gonzalo Valle staying in goal, with a center-back pairing of Luis Segovia and Ricardo Ade. On the flanks, Josue Cuero and Jose Carabali would provide width while also helping out on defense. In midfield, the plan would blend possession and forward runs with Jesus Pretell, Sebastian Gonzalez and Fernando Cornejo. Up front, the offensive weight would fall on Michael Estrada and Janner Corozo, the duo tasked with building an advantage ahead of the second leg in Quito.

The probable lineup: Gonzalo Valle; Josue Cuero, Ricardo Ade, Luis Segovia, Jose Carabali; Sebastian Gonzalez, Jesus Pretell, Fernando Cornejo, Yerlin Quinonez; Janner Corozo and Michael Estrada.

Mirassol comes in as a host accustomed to being tough at home, which means Liga will need to manage the game with a cool head. Playing the first leg on the road is no small detail: any result that keeps the series open, or better yet tilts it in Liga's favor, will be key heading into the return leg in Ecuador. The goal is clear: put the league setback behind them and reach the final eight of the Libertadores, something the white faithful are eagerly hoping for after a season that, until this loss, had been nearly flawless.