La U seek Libertadores lead

Universidad de Chile face one of their most important matches of the season when they take on Guaraní in the Copa Libertadores this evening (8pm).

Ñuñoa – La U qualified for the most important club competition in South America by beating Deportes Iquique in the end of season Liguilla final in December.

However, they must now beat Paraguayans Guaraní over two legs to book their place in the lucrative group stages. It means the onus is on the azules to win tonight to take an advantage to Paraguay for next week´s second leg.

Universidad de Chile go into the tie in buoyant mood following their 5-0 thrashing of Ñublense in new boss Cristián Romero´s first game in charge. However, they will have to do without the suspended Johnny Herrera and Juan Rodrigo Rojas.

Luis Marín will replace Herrera in goal, while Sebastián Martínez has been pencilled in to replace Rojas.

Manager Romero said: “I know how important is it that la U are in international tournaments and we have to win this tie to enter the group stage. It is one of the objectives of 2014.

“Guaraní have practically the same squad as last year, they´ve maintained the same base. They´ve had some friendlies and it´s going to be difficult.”

If la U win through, they will be in Group 5 along with Brazil´s Cruzeiro, Uruguay´s Defensor Sporting and Peru´s Real Garcilaso.

Meanwhile, Deportes Iquique took a big step to the Copa Chile final when they overcame Primera B side Unión San Felipe 2-0 away in last night’s semi-final first leg.

César Pinares struck the first from a free-kick in the 18^th minute and Gerson Martínez added the second with a header two minutes from time. The return takes place at the Tierra de Campeones next Thursday, February 6.