UCV and Santos begin their battle for a place in the last 16 of the Copa Sudamericana on Wednesday. The first match will take place at the Misael Delgado Stadium in Valencia, Venezuela, following a change of venue for CONMEBOL due to the recent earthquakes in Venezuela.
The hosts are banking on home advantage and the quick adaptation of new players to succeed. Meanwhile, Santos is the clear favorite, bolstered by their team’s extensive international experience.
Match Preview
Santos is under pressure after lost to Botafogo with a score of 2:1. on his return to Brazil, conceding a stoppage-time winner. They are currently in 16th place with 21 points. league standingsand now their attention turns entirely to the Copa Sudamericana.
In the group stage, Santos collected seven points from six matches, winning just once, drawing four and losing one, finishing second on goal difference. Their best performance was a 3-0 win over Deportivo Cuenca at Vila Belmiro.
Since March, coach Alexi Stival has been aiming to give Santos’ team more stability. The group is led by captain Neymar and top scorer Gabigol, who has 14 goals this season; however, neither of them were called to this encounter.
At Valencia, Santos is expected to prioritize possession without compromising defensive organization.
This will be the first meeting between UCV and Santos. The return match is scheduled for July 28 in Vila Belmiro, where the winner on aggregate will face Ecuador’s Macara in the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana.
© Imago / Sports Press Photo
Universidad Central enters Wednesday’s match in a recovery phase after losing seven players during the World Cup break.
The most significant departure was striker Juan Manuel Cuesta, the top scorer of the continental campaign, who moved to Sporting Cristal.
Carlos Cermeno, Charlis Ortiz, Giovanni Bolivar, Adrian Martinez, Ruben Ramirez and Kendry Mendoza also left the tournament before the knockout stage.
In the Copa Libertadores, Universidad Central finished third in Group H with nine points from six matches. Their highlight was a pair of wins over Libertad, with Juan Manuel Cuesta scoring twice. As the top third-placed team, they secured a place in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana.
In the Venezuelan Championship, UCV ended the Apertura game with mixed results. They beat Puerto Cabello Academy 3-1, but then lost to the same team and Portugal, conceding crucial goals late and in the first half of those matches.
Led by Daniel Sasso, who won the treble in 2025, UCV relies on a 4-3-3 formation and a strong tactical organization.
UCV form (all competitions):
Santos South American Cup form:
Santos form (all competitions):
Team news
© Imago
UCV enters the fray without any injury or suspension concerns but with a much-changed squad after seven eliminations during the World Cup break.
To compensate, the club signed Gonzalo Mottes, Edwin Peraza, Williams Lugo, Edwin Mosquera and Steven Pabon. While these reinforcements provide more opportunities for the playoffs, the lack of chemistry remains an issue against Santos.
In the first match in Venezuela, Santos will have many absences. Neymar is still regaining fitness after the post-World Cup break; Despite training at Rei Pele’s training centre, he was not named in the traveling squad.
Besides Neymar, Cuca will be without Gabigol, who is sidelined with adductor myalgia and remains under treatment at Baixada Santista.
Willian Arao and Igor Vinicius are rested while Joao Schmidt, in the final stages of his recovery from thigh discomfort, completes the list of absentees.
Possible UCV starting line-up:
Morales; Silva, Velazquez, Peraza, Carrillo; Gonzalez, Sole; Sosa, Zapata, Rodriguez; Bolivar
Possible starting lineup for Santos:
coat of arms; Boy, Perez, Escobar; Henry Oliva, Rolheiser; Barreal, Miguelito; Tachiano, Moises, Roni
We say: UCV 0-2 Santos
Santos are favorites due to the superior technical quality of their team and the international experience of their key players. Even far from home, Peixe arrives motivated by reaching the playoffs.
Given UCV’s massive rebuild during the season break and the lack of interaction between the new players, Santos is expected to control the game and have an excellent chance of leaving Venezuela with a lead.