Bucaramanga, Colombia is abuzz as Atlético Bucaramanga hosts Racing Club of Argentina in the Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 second leg on Thursday, October 26th. The *Leopardo* return to Estadio Alfonso López with a narrow 1-0 advantage, courtesy of Fabián Sambueza’s decisive goal at Estadio Presidente Perón in Avellaneda last week. Bucaramanga’s impressive defensive display and tactical discipline frustrated Racing’s attack, and they now seek to defend their lead and advance to the quarter-finals.

Under Sergio Cuesta’s guidance, Bucaramanga have been performing well in Liga BetPlay Dimayor and are fueled by a passionate home fanbase expecting a historic night. Despite minor injury concerns, particularly with midfielder Carlos Córdoba, the team is expected to be largely intact, with striker Juan Manuel Estiven Vela likely leading the attack.

Racing Club, meanwhile, faces significant pressure to overturn the deficit. Following the first-leg loss, Gustavo Costas’ tactical approach has come under scrutiny, with criticism centered on the team’s inability to break down Bucaramanga’s defense and a lack of creativity in the final third. In response, they’ve intensified training, focusing on offensive combinations and set-piece delivery. Key players Gabriel Hauche and Maximiliano Romero will be crucial for Racing’s hopes, needing to score to level the tie and establish an away-goals advantage.

Racing is expected to make changes to their starting lineup, with Costas potentially opting for a more aggressive setup. The match will be officiated by Venezuelan referee Jesús Valenzuela. With tickets completely sold out, the atmosphere at Estadio Alfonso López is expected to be electric.

The tie has garnered significant attention across South America, positioning Atlético Bucaramanga as potential dark horses in this year’s Copa Sudamericana. A win for Bucaramanga would be a historic milestone for the club and a major upset in the tournament, representing a significant opportunity for Colombian football to showcase its growing talent on the continental stage.