The first leg of the Real Garcilaso vs Independiente Santa Fe Copa Libertadores quarterfinal match will be held this Wednesday, May 22, 2013 (3:30 PM Pacific) at the Estadio Garcilaso in Cusco. The old rivals from Group 6 in the group stages meet once again in a very important and prestigious quarterfinal series. Real Garcilaso (PER) accessed this round after finishing 2nd behind Santa Fe (COL) in the group, and after defeating Nacional of Uruguay in the Round-of-16. Santa Fe has been a top team in this tournament, and they will face the team from Cusco after defeating Gremio (BRA) in the previous round.
Real Garcilaso, along with Xolos of Tijuana, have been catalogued by the media as the two surprises in the 2013 edition of the Libertadores. The Peruvian squad was founded in 2009, and in their first Libertadores they have already reached the quarterfinals. On Wednesday they will use the pressure of a packed stadium at 11,000 feet of altitude. The winner of the series will reach the semifinals and play either Fluminense (BRA) or Olimpia (PAR).
Independiente Santa Fe will hope to take a step into the semifinals when they visit Garcilaso. They already visited the high altitude of Cusco in February and tied 1-1. Santa Fe has been phenomenal in this Libertadores after gaining 14 points in the group stage, and more importantly, after eliminating the always difficult Gremio. Santa Fe will need to score at least a goal against the surprising Garcilaso to go with a small advantage into Colombia.
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Real Garcilaso vs Independiente Santa Fe Prediction
The Real Garcilaso vs Independiente Santa Fe match will be a very tight match between two teams who want to do everything to reach the semifinals. Garcilaso will be a tough team to defeat as they have only received 4 goals in their past 4 matches. On Wednesday, Santa Fe will have to attack, and while playing against the altitude and fans, they will leave with the advantage. The Garcilaso vs Santa Fe match will end in a 1-1 tie.
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Real Garcilaso vs Independiente Santa Fe Television
The Real Garcilaso vs Independiente Santa Fe match will be televised this Wednesday, May 22, 2013 on Fox Deportes at 3:30 PM Pacific.
