Nacional - Barcelona

Copa Libertadores 2013

The main stage of the Copa Libertadores begins tonight, and we have a full menu, as this week presents to us a whooping 13 matches. And Nacional Montevideo will open the ceremony, against Barcelona of Ecuador. High hopes are in store for the Uruguayan side, as they have greatly strengthened their team with some very experienced players. The new signings include forward Ivan Also (played in Spain for Alaves, Murcia and Espanyol), midfielder Juan Albin (also played with Getafe and Espanyol), veteran forward Sebastian 'Loco' Abreu (long-career, including spells with Real Sociedad, and several teams in Mexico and Argentina), Colombian defender Efrain Cortes and midfielder Diego Arismendi (played for a few teams in the English Championship League). So we can see good players, with plenty of experience, that would definitely provide a boost to the team. And all of them come in addition to the core of the team, that remains pretty much the same as last year. Meanwhile, Barcelona have also kept most of their main players, but their performances this year have been poor. 2 draws in the beginning of the season, in which they didn't show much, plus a defeat last weekend (not very important, since they were missing quite a few regulars). I don't really see them as being able to snatch even a point here, in front of a fully packed Parque Central Stadium. GL!

Nacional (-0.75 AH) @ 1.98, 4/10
Result: 2-2, LOST