Zampedri laments absence for Católica's return leg against Estudiantes

Fernando Zampedri, captain of Universidad Católica, described his upcoming absence from the second leg of their Copa Libertadores round of 16 match against Estudiantes as "lamentable." The striker will miss the game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Despite his personal disappointment, Zampedri expressed strong confidence in his teammates. "We knew which players could get suspended. Unfortunately, it's me, but we trust the team," he stated. The team plans to rest and begin preparing for the crucial return leg, hoping for a positive outcome.

Reflecting on the first leg, Zampedri acknowledged Estudiantes as a formidable opponent. "Estudiantes is a cup team; they've won this tournament many times. They feel comfortable on their home field and with their fans. They have a good team and good players," he observed. He noted that while Estudiantes controlled possession, Católica managed to secure a draw in the second half.

Zampedri also briefly touched upon his own performance, highlighting his "conviction" in seeking out scoring opportunities. Looking ahead, he noted the contrasting schedules for the two clubs, with Estudiantes facing a significant league clásico match before the Libertadores return leg, while Universidad Católica will have a period of rest. "They have an important game this weekend, a clásico is difficult to play. We are focusing on Tuesday, resting, how to face this opponent, and being strong at home," he concluded.