Huracán head to Manizales for a crucial Copa Sudamericana test against Once Caldas
Huracán will face Once Caldas on Tuesday in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16, taking place at Palogrande Stadium in Manizales starting at 19:00 local time. The venue sits 2,160 meters above sea level, a detail that could shape the dynamics of this continental duel as Huracán seeks a solid start away from home to carry back to Buenos Aires.
The Argentine club, guided by Facundo Sava, arrives in an uneven spell of form. After the disappointment of losing the Apertura final to Platense, Huracán claimed wins over Boca and Tigre but tasted defeats against Belgrano and Estudiantes and were eliminated from the Copa Argentina by Lanús. The continental competition, however, has offered a brighter note: in the group stage Huracán dominated Group C, finishing ahead of Delfín, Guaraní and Metropolitanos and earning direct passage to the knockout rounds. Sava has reiterated that the team must recapture that level if they are to advance.
Once Caldas, meanwhile, come into the clash in a complicated patch in domestic play. They have failed to win in five Clausura fixtures and did not collect points in the Apertura-Cuadrangular. Yet in the continental arena they have shown steel, finishing second in Group F behind Fluminense and advancing convincingly by sweeping San Antonio Bulo Bulo 7-0 on aggregate to reach the Round of 16. The change of pace from domestic to continental competition seems to suit Hernán Darío Herrera’s squad.
Huracán recognizes that a good away result could shape the tie’s trajectory. They will need to navigate the altitude, the pitch and the context without excuses, aiming to set up a favorable return leg in Buenos Aires.
What to watch
– Altitude and travel: Palogrande’s high elevation can influence stamina and ball movement, particularly for Huracán after the flight and acclimatization.
– Home form vs. continental form: Once Caldas has found rhythm in the Sudamericana despite a troubled domestic season, while Huracán is eager to return to the form that carried them through the group stage.
– Tactical matchup: Both sides will be mindful of balance and counterpunch potential, with the away goal dynamic likely to factor in as the tie unfolds.
Lineups
Once Caldas: James Aguirre; Juan Cuesta, Jorge Cardona, Jáider Riquett, Juan Patiño; Iván Rojas, Luis Sánchez, Michael Barrios, Mateo García, Mateo Zuleta, Dayro Moreno. DT: Hernán Darío Herrera.
Huracán: Sebastián Meza; Tomas Guidara, Hugo Nervo or Fabio Pereyra, Nehuén Paz, César Ibáñez; Emmanuel Ojeda, Leonardo Gil or Lucas Carrizo; Leonel Pérez, Agustín Urzi, Rodrigo Cabral, Matías Tissera. DT: Frank Darío Kudelka.
Hora: 19:00
TV: D Sports. Disponible por DGO, con el servicio de Red Uno en Puerto Madryn y Rawson.
Árbitro: Ramón Abatti (BRA)
VAR: Daniel Nobre (BRA)
Estadio: Palogrande, Manizales
Resumo de la situación
– Huracán llega con altibajos recientes pero con confianza por su rendimiento en la fase de grupos de la Sudamericana.
– Once Caldas busca mantener la mejoría mostrada en la competición continental pese a su tropiezo en el torneo local.
– El encuentro promete un duelo abierto y disputado, con la revancha en Buenos Aires a la vuelta de la esquina.