Sevilla-Independiente del Valle is the match that awards the first edition of the Uefa-Conmebol Club Challenge: line-ups, predictions, TV, streaming
It is somewhere between an official trophy and a friendly. You can find out about it through the presentation on the Uefa website. Which together with Conmebol, the top football organisation in South America, is preparing to launch the pilot edition of the Uefa-Conmebol Club Challenge.
A title that, along the lines of the old Intercontinental Cup, will be awarded at the end of a single match between the holder of the Europa League and the holder of the Copa Sudamericana, the second most important continental competitions in Europe and South America. The Uefa-Conmebol Club Challenge is part of an even broader project initiated a few years ago by the two federations, which signed a memorandum of understanding in 2020 with the clear intention of intensifying cooperation. “The challenge is considered friendly,” Uefa explains in the official note, “because both teams have agreed on unlimited substitutions (with three scheduled breaks) as per UEFA club competition regulations. “
An official trophy or a friendly?
A friendly match, then, which Sevilla, one of the two contenders, wanted to coincide with the 12th Antonio Puerta Trophy, in memory of the unforgettable Rojiblanco player who lost his life in 2007 due to cardiac arrest.
Faravelli of Independiente del Valle exults after a goal
The Andalusians, who last May won the Europa League for the seventh time in their history by beating Roma on penalties in the final in Budapest, will face the Ecuadorians of Independiente del Valle, holders of the Copa Sudamericana 2022, at the Sanchez Pizjuan. A team that is experiencing a good moment of form, since after their continental success, they also won the Recopa Sudamericana against Flamengo, won the national cup and championship in their homeland and just finished first in the Copa Libertadores round. Sevilla, on the other hand, have only recently resumed training: Jose Luis Mendilibar’s men played two friendlies against Cordoba and Ceuta, both of which they won fairly extensively (2-0 and 5-2). The coach is expected to do without several starters, many of whom have only returned from holiday a few days ago.
The Prediction
Another time we would have said Sevilla with our eyes closed, but the fact that this match is being played in July, with the Andalusians having only started training again a few days ago, makes everything more nebulous. In the event of a draw in regulation time, it will go straight to penalties: an outcome that, frankly, cannot be ruled out. In the 90 minutes, both should in any case score at least one goal.
The probable line-ups for Sevilla-Independiente del Valle
- SEVILLE (4-2-3-1): Dmitrović; Montiel, Nianzou, Ortiz, Augustinsson; Rakitic, Fernando; Ocampos, Januzaj, Lamela; Mir.
- INDEPENDIENTE DEL VALLE (4-3-3): Villa; Landazuri, Carabajal, Garcia Bosso, Medina; Alcivar, Ortiz, Faravelli; Paez, Diaz, Hoyos.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1