Defensa y Justicia faced off against Vitória in a crucial Copa Sudamericana match on April 10, 2025, at the Norberto Tomaghello Stadium in Florencio Varela. Despite the home advantage, the match ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, leaving both teams still searching for their first victory in the group stage of the tournament.
This encounter was pivotal for both sides, as they had both begun their Copa Sudamericana campaigns with draws in their opening matches. Defensa y Justicia had previously tied with Cerro Largo, while Vitória had shared points with Universidad Católica. With both teams desperate for a win to enhance their chances of advancing, the stakes were high.
The match statistics reflected a closely contested battle. Defensa y Justicia held a slight edge in possession with 51% compared to Vitória's 49%. Both teams managed to register three shots on goal, but neither could find the back of the net. In terms of discipline, Defensa y Justicia committed three fouls while Vitória had five, indicating a competitive but fair match.
Defensa y Justicia’s head coach, Pablo De Muner, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, featuring goalkeeper Enrique Bologna, with a defensive line of Ezequiel Cannavó, Lucas Ferreira, Kevin Balanta, and Damián Pérez. The midfield trio consisted of Valentín Larralde, Kevin Gutiérrez, and César Pérez, while the attacking front included Francisco González, Juan Bautista Miritello, and Aarón Molinas.
On the other hand, Vitória, managed by Thiago Carpini, set up in a 4-5-1 formation. Lucas Arcanjo guarded the goal, supported by defenders Claudinho, Lucas Halter, Zé Marcos, and Jamerson Bahia. The midfield was packed with five players, including Baralhas, Willian Oliveira, and Erick, while Carlinhos led the line as the lone striker.
The match kicked off at 19:00 and was broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+ in Argentina, with ESPN 3 covering the game for other South American audiences. Fans were eager to see who would break the deadlock, but the first half concluded without any goals, despite both teams having opportunities.
As the second half commenced, the intensity remained high. Defensa y Justicia earned a corner at the 46th minute, taken by César Pérez, but it failed to yield any results. The home side made tactical changes, substituting Valentín Larralde for Gastón González in the 39th minute, as they sought to inject fresh energy into the attack.
Defensa y Justicia continued to press, and in the 34th minute, César Pérez had a promising shot on goal, but Lucas Arcanjo made a crucial save to deny the home team. The match saw its first yellow card issued to José Alves Luis of Vitória in the 32nd minute, adding to the competitive nature of the game.
In a series of substitutions aimed at altering the match's dynamics, Vitória replaced Gabriel Baralhas with Ricardo Ryller and Matheus Martins with Fabrício do Rosario, both in the 38th minute. As the match progressed, both coaches made further adjustments, with Defensa y Justicia bringing on Matías Miranda and Abiel Osorio to replace Francisco González and Juan Bautista Miritello, respectively.
Despite the changes and a few more attempts from both sides, including a corner for Vitória at the 18th minute taken by Claudio Coelho Salvático, the scoreboard remained unchanged. The match concluded with both teams sharing the points, a result that left Defensa y Justicia in a precarious position in the group standings.
After the match, coach Pablo De Muner expressed his disappointment at not capitalizing on home advantage. "We need to convert our chances into goals if we want to progress in this tournament," he stated. Meanwhile, Vitória's Thiago Carpini highlighted the importance of the point earned but acknowledged that his team needed to be more clinical in front of goal.
With this draw, Defensa y Justicia now sits fourth in Group B with just one point, while Vitória holds second place with two points. The tight competition in the group means that every match will be crucial as both teams aim to secure their spots in the knockout stages of the Copa Sudamericana.
Looking ahead, Defensa y Justicia will need to regroup and focus on their next match, where they will aim to secure their first victory of the tournament. Fans will be hoping for a more decisive performance in their upcoming fixtures as the pressure mounts in the group stage.
As both teams reflect on this match, they understand that the journey in the Copa Sudamericana is far from over. With several matches still to play, the potential for dramatic shifts in the standings remains, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
