This Saturday, Liga de Quito is gearing up for another international final showdown as they face off against Fortaleza in the 2023 Copa Sudamericana. The match is set for 4 PM ET / 1 PM PT in Uruguay's Domingo Burgueño Miguel stadium in Maldonado. The journey to this climax began early Wednesday when the Liga de Quito squad headed to Uruguay.

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Before their departure from Quito airport, several team members took a moment to share their thoughts with the media. Ricardo Adé, the central defender, said of their opponents, "Fortaleza is a good team. They have a left-footer who's everywhere on the pitch." Leonel Quiñónez, on the other hand, gave insights into their recent game, saying, "Fortaleza is tricky. We watched their match against Corinthians. They have skilled players who can give you a tough time." Yet, Richard Mina reminded everyone of the Albo's strength, asserting, "We shouldn't underestimate any opponent; we'll do our thing. I believe we have a strong squad to pull off a win."

Esteban Paz, a leading delegate, expressed the team's excitement and commitment: “This significant moment in Liga's history comes after much hard work and dedication. We're focused on this match, knowing it's been 12 years since our last final. The joy this brings is a boost, a positive force that drives us. We represent the nation in this and share it with anyone who wishes to partake.”

The path to this final wasn't straightforward for Liga. They progressed from the group stages, facing off against Universidad César Vallejo (Peru), Magallanes (Chile), and Botafogo (Brazil). Subsequent knockout phases saw them edge past Ñublense (Chile) on penalties, Brazil's Sao Paulo in a similar manner, and finally Deporte y Justicia in the semi-finals.

On their current form, Adé confidently stated, "The team's in good shape, we're all here, fully focused on the final and bringing home the cup." Argentine player Facundo Rodríguez echoed the sentiment, "This team was built for such moments. Objectives were clear from the start. As we achieve results, the team meshes even better." Quiñónez emphasized, "We had to win last Monday against Emelec. We're in the mix, and come Saturday, it's a face-off between Sudamericana's best. We aim to bring the cup home."

Regarding their final strategy, Adé foresees a fierce contest: "It's going to be a tough match. It's our dream against theirs. Whoever safeguards their dream better will realize it." Quiñónez added, "We'll play our game, aiming for a win. Brazilian teams have skilled players, especially on the flanks, who can pose challenges." Mina believes that with a well-planned approach, "everything can be in our favor."

The significance of this final wasn't lost on the players. Rodríguez shared, "It's the most crucial match of my life so far. I'm thankful for this opportunity." José Quintero is optimistic about adding another international star to Liga's tally, while Mina feels this might be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, expressing confidence that "the cup is coming to Ecuador."