January 22 – On Saturday, Argentine clubs Lanus and Defensa y Justicia will contest the 2020 Copa Sudamericana final behind closed doors in Cordoba, the first continental final in South America since the coronavirus pandemic.
The final had originally been scheduled to be played November 7, but due to the global health crisis South American governing body CONMEBOL was forced to push back the flagship match that crowns the winner of the continent’s second-tier competition, the equivalent of the Europa League.
Even with no fans in the stands for the final, the match will still bring together 2,500 people in and around the stadium to ensure technical and logistical operations. This also includes the players, team delegations, sponsors and sanitation personnel. All those involved in match-day operations will require a negative Covid-19 test.
The final between the two clubs from the southern sprawl of greater Buenos Aires has been framed as a battle between two emerging coaches. Hernan Crespo and Luis Zubeldia had very different playing careers, but are now both trying to make a name as managers.
In the last four of the competition, Lanus eliminated CA Vélez Sarsfield 4-0 on aggregate whereas Defensa y Justicia were too strong for Chile’s Coquimbo Unido, 4-2 over two legs.
The winners of the final will earn the right to play against the winners of the 2020 Copa Libertadores in the 2021 Recopa Sudamericana. They will also automatically qualify for the 2021 Copa Libertadores group stage. Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium will stage the Copa Libertadores final on 30 January.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735232924labto1735232924ofdlr1735232924owedi1735232924sni@o1735232924fni1735232924