Paraguayan club Olimpia secured a 2-0 victory over Audax Italiano in Wednesday’s Copa Sudamericana match at the Bicentenario de La Florida stadium in Chile. However, the win was marred by complaints regarding substandard conditions in the visiting team's locker room.
Olimpia goalkeeper Gastón Olveira told reporters in the mixed zone that the facility lacked running water throughout the team's stay. "There was no water, but these things happen sometimes," Olveira said, noting that the supply was never available during the match day.
Despite the facility issues, Olveira praised his team’s performance. "The team played a great game. It is important to start by winning these types of competitions, and I am happy because the boys did a great job," he added.
A tactical victory for Olimpia
Olimpia’s goals came from Rubén Lezcano in the 23rd minute and Juan Fernando Alfaro in the 34th minute. The result places the Paraguayan side at the top of Group G, following a 1-1 draw between the group's other members, Vasco da Gama and Barracas Central.
Olimpia head coach Pablo Sánchez, who previously managed Audax Italiano from 2020 to 2021, credited his team's disciplined approach. "The team was intelligent. We waited for the first 15 minutes because we knew Audax would try to make their home advantage count," Sánchez said during the post-match press conference.
Sánchez highlighted the impact of his substitutions, particularly the introduction of Romeo Benítez, whom he described as instrumental in both scoring plays. The coach also noted mid-game adjustments to his defensive line to counter Audax’s pressure on the right flank.
"We held on well and with order, and when it came time to attack, we were clinical," Sánchez said. "Because of the history of this institution, we want to become candidates to win the Sudamericana."
The match marked the first time Audax Italiano hosted an international fixture at the Bicentenario de La Florida. While the club's performance fell short, the focus shifted to the infrastructure complaints raised by the visiting delegation following the final whistle.