Flamengo and Estudiantes reach an agreement: the Libertadores semifinal will be held at the UNO Stadium, in La Plata, with 4,000 tickets guaranteed for the Rubro-Negro fans.
In an outcome that brings relief to both sets of fans, the highly anticipated Copa Libertadores semifinal between Flamengo and Estudiantes will take place at the UNO Stadium, in La Plata, Argentina. The agreement between the clubs has cleared up the uncertainties surrounding the venue for the first leg, ensuring that the inaugural semifinal clash will be played in the modern Argentine stadium.
The decision was the result of intense negotiations, where Estudiantes sought to meet CONMEBOL‘s requirements without giving up playing at home. This move reinforces the strategic importance of having fan support during a decisive moment in the continental competition.
The main issue revolved around the capacity of the visitors’ section at the UNO Stadium. Although the stadium can hold approximately 32,500 spectators, Libertadores regulations require 4,000 seats for the opposing fans in semifinals, while the initial area for visitors at UNO was only 2,000. To resolve the deadlock, Estudiantes relocated an entire section behind one of the goals, increasing availability.
Agreement ensures fan presence
The deal stipulates that Flamengo will have 4,000 tickets available, as required by CONMEBOL. This flexibility from the Argentine club, which ceded an area originally intended for 6,000 people, was crucial for the approval by Flamengo and to avoid moving the match to another stadium in Argentina. Estudiantes‘ priority has always been to maintain home-field advantage at their stadium, which they consider a fortress.
Pitch quality: Decisive factor
In addition to the visitor capacity issue, Flamengo also considered the quality of the pitch in their decision. The UNO Stadium, which recently underwent renovations and modernizations, is known for its high-standard playing field. This characteristic was a positive point for the Rio de Janeiro club, which prioritizes player performance on a good surface.
Other options considered by Estudiantes, such as El Cilindro (Racing) or La Fortaleza (Lanús), while having greater capacity, could have presented inferior pitches.
The first leg is scheduled for October 15th in Argentina, kicking off at 9:30 PM (Brasília time). The return match, which will decide one of the Libertadores finalists, will take place at the Maracanã, on October 22nd, also at 9:30 PM (Brasília time).
The expectation is for intense matches with full houses in both games, fueling the rivalry and passion for South America’s most coveted tournament.
The confirmation of the Libertadores semifinal venue between Flamengo and Estudiantes ends a period of uncertainty and allows both teams to focus exclusively on preparing for the decisive clashes.
The guarantee of a modern stadium and compliance with CONMEBOL regulations ensure a high-level spectacle, with massive fan presence from both sides. The continent’s eyes will be on these duels, which promise excitement until the final minute, in the quest for a spot in the grand final.
Equipe M360
