Flamengo faces Independiente del Valle-ECU in the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals, with the first leg taking place today at 9:30 PM (Brasília time) in Quito. The Brazilian club seeks a favorable result away from home to decide the tie in Rio de Janeiro next week.
Independiente del Valle is considered one of the teams in the best form on the continent this season. The Ecuadorian side has an impressive record as hosts in Libertadores knockout stages, having not lost any of the 14 games they played at home, with nine wins and five draws, scoring 26 goals and conceding 12.
The Ecuadorian team advanced in eight of those knockout series and was eliminated in six, including the 2016 final, lost to Atlético Nacional-COL. In one of those occasions, against Grêmio in the 2021 preliminary round, they had to host the match in Asunción due to Covid-19 pandemic sanitary restrictions, but still managed to secure victory.
The only two defeats in the history of the Libertadores for Independiente del Valle were in group stages, both against Palmeiras, in 2021 and 2024.
