Lucas Villalba must start between Botafogo holders against Independiente Petrolero. The 25-year-old Uruguayan has gained space in the Franclim Carvalho team and takes speed on the right wing in this Wednesday’s clash, at 9pm, on Estádio Tigo La Huerta, on Assunção. Glorioso leads Grupo AND Copa Sul-Americana with ten points. The Bolivian opponent has not yet added any. Conmebol has ported the game from Paraguai for security reasons.
The striker arrived at the club at the start of the 2026 season as the first reinforcement. Ele left Nacional, Uruguai. Agora, Villalba competes for position with Kadir and has been a frequent option. The coach should keep him in the main formation to explore spaces against a Bolivian defense that conceded many goals.
Villalba takes speed and seeks fixed ownership
The Uruguayan winger stands out for his acceleration and ability to create individual imbalances. At 1.83m, he combines physical strength with short dribbling. Franclim Carvalho tested variations in recent games, but should repeat the presence of Villalba in the front trio alongside Kadir and Arthur Cabral.
In between, Huguinho, Medina and Montoro support. Vitinho returns to the right side. Alexander Barboza and Nahuel Ferraresi form the defense. Alex Telles closes the defense. The lineup seeks a balance between creation and protection. Villalba has already participated in several games and showed quick adaptation to Brazilian football.
- Lucas Villalba holder on the right
- Kadir and Arthur Cabral in the attack
- Vitinho on the right side
- Barboza at the back with Ferraresi
- Huguinho in midfield
The presence of the Uruguayan gives depth options. Ele can cut to the middle or serve teammates. Botafogo beat Petrolero 3-0 in the first round, at Nilton Santos. Villalba was related and is now looking for his first prominent participation in the confrontation.
Petrolero seeks first points in the competition
Independiente Petrolero remains in the last position of the group. Quatro defeats and ten goals conceded mark the campaign. Thiago Leitão leads the team, which comes from a positive result against Campeonato Boliviano. Johan Gutierrez stays in goal. The defense has Leonardo Montenegro, Eduardo Porto, Luis Palma and Francisco Rodríguez.
Daniel Rojas, Diego Vargas and Rudy Cardozo act in the middle. Wille Barboza, Alan Mercado and Rodrigo Rivas form the attack. The team plays in Assunção without the altitude factor. Saúl Torres is suspended. The team needs solid performance to complicate the leader’s life.
Villalba and company find a pressured opponent. Botafogo is already classified. A victory could leave the team with 13 points and close to the isolated lead. Racing plays against Caracas in the other bracket match.
Recent Desempenho from Villalba on Botafogo
The Uruguayan arrived with investment status. Ele showed speed in training and games. At times he alternated between bench and ownership. Contra or Petrolero, the chance to play from the beginning can consolidate your position in the squad. The coach values the attacker’s versatility.
Desfalques follow on Glorioso. Allan, Matheus Martins, Júnior Santos and Newton are out due to injury. Kaio Pantaleão also did not travel. The cast got together for the trip to Paraguai. Franclim Carvalho counts on the group to maintain the good moment at Sul-Americana.
Villalba adds offensive options. Sua’s presence forces opposing markings and opens up spaces for Arthur Cabral in the center. Glorioso won three times and drew once in the group stage. The defense conceded few goals. The attack benefits from the Uruguayan’s speed.
Arbitragem and match details
Guillermo Guerrero, from Equador, referees the duel. Christian Lescano and David Vacacela are the assistants. Gabriel Gonzalez is in VAR. Transmission occurs via Paramount+. ge tracks all bids in real time. Botafogo travels as favorite, but expects total concentration.
A good performance by Villalba can reinforce its importance in the project. The Uruguayan striker represents renewal in the offensive sector. Independiente Petrolero fights for the first points and honor in the continental competition. The game defines directions in the Grupo E table.
