DON’T MISS THE MATCH LIVE! CLICK HERE

The Copa Sudamericana will deliver a thrilling final this Saturday in Asunción. Lanús and Atlético Mineiro will face off at a packed Defensores del Chaco, with more than 40,000 fans and a city completely overtaken by Argentine and Brazilian colors. The Granate aim for their second continental crown, while the Galo look to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

Pellegrino vs. Sampaoli: Two different paths colliding in Asunción

The showdown also features two managers with history, contrasting styles, and long careers behind them.
Mauricio Pellegrino, who arrived at Lanús last December, dreams of winning his first title as a coach. After experiencing the tension of major finals, including the Deportivo Alavés loss to Barcelona in the 2017 Copa del Rey, the Argentine coach now wants to take the final step in South America. He relies on striker Rodrigo Castillo, playmaker Marcelino Moreno, and the experience of Carlos Izquierdoz and Eduardo Salvio, key pillars of the Granate.

On the other side stands Jorge Sampaoli, whose résumé includes the 2011 Sudamericana with Universidad de Chile, the 2015 Copa América with Chile, and an extensive managerial career across four countries. The Argentine returned to Atlético Mineiro in September and revived the team’s form, leaning on the leadership of Hulk, still decisive at 39.

DON’T MISS THE MATCH LIVE! CLICK HERE

It was Hulk himself who scored the decisive goal against Independiente del Valle to secure Mineiro’s place in the final. He is joined by standouts Renzo Saravia, Junior Alonso, Alan Franco, Igor Gómez, and the ever-dangerous Bernard.

A final wrapped in celebration and a city overtaken by fans

Asunción is experiencing hours of intense passion. More than 30,000 foreign supporters have already entered the country, according to the Migration Office, and buses from Minas Gerais and Buenos Aires continue to arrive.
The influx is so large that 6,000 police officers have been deployed, alongside a Fan Zone on the Costanera offering concerts, food, and entertainment ahead of the match.

For the Galo, more than 28 buses have crossed the Puente de la Amistad in recent hours, while Lanús is preparing a 60-bus caravan entering via Puerto Falcón early Saturday morning. The passion has already taken over the city.

On the sporting side, the Defensores del Chaco stadium — host of finals in 2019 and 2024 — will once again serve as the stage to crown the new champion of CONMEBOL’s second-most prestigious club tournament.

Two teams, two managers with unfinished business, and thousands of fans ready to paint Paraguay’s capital in red and black.

DON’T MISS THE MATCH LIVE! CLICK HERE