Horacio Melgarejo, coach of Cienciano, spoke before traveling to Brazil to face Botafogo in the second leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana. The coach highlighted the importance of the match for the Cusco team and for Peruvian football, although he made it clear that the large advantage obtained in the first leg is not a reason to be overconfident.
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“We know this is a very important match, both for Cienciano and for Cusco. We are going to represent Peru and we will try to do our best”, Melgarejo said before embarking on the trip to Rio de Janeiro.
The Argentine strategist thus emphasized the responsibility the squad will have on an international stage and against a high-level opponent like Botafogo.
“We are super hopeful”
Cienciano arrives in Brazil after thrashing Botafogo 6-1 at the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium. The result left the Cusco team very close to the quarterfinals, although Melgarejo knows there is still one match to play.
“We are super hopeful because we know what this means for Peruvian football, for us, and especially for the kids who are making a tremendous effort”, the coach said.
The squad’s hope is to advance to the next round and continue an international campaign that could once again place the imperial team among the top eight in the competition.
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Melgarejo highlights Botafogo’s quality
Despite the heavy defeat suffered in Cusco, the Cienciano coach avoided underestimating the Brazilian team. Melgarejo acknowledged that Botafogo is going through an irregular moment in the local tournament but warned that it has players and a coaching staff of great level.
“Football-wise they are hurt, they are not doing very well in the local tournament, but we know the quality of that squad, of that coaching staff”, he explained.
For the strategist, facing a club as important as Botafogo also represents a special opportunity for Cienciano.
Horacio Melgarejo: “We are super hopeful, we know what it means for Peruvian football. I don’t feel the sanction is fair, that’s why I went to the CAS, I didn’t want it to come to that. The old man (Ángel Comizzo) knows that everything I am doing is his fault.”
— Raúl Chávez (@raulchavezpa) August 18, 2026
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“It is an honor to face them”, says the Cienciano coach
Melgarejo valued the possibility of playing a match of this magnitude in Brazil and left a clear warning for his players.
“It is an honor to face them and that’s why we have to be 100% focused”, he said.
Melgarejo downplays his sanction
During his statements, the coach was also asked about the sanction he is serving in the local tournament. Melgarejo revealed that he is still trying to reduce the punishment and showed his disagreement with the measure.
“I don’t feel it’s fair because it seems a bit exaggerated to me and that’s why I went to the CAS to reduce it”, he commented.
However, the strategist made it clear that at this moment his priority is focused on the international competition and the match that Cienciano will face this Thursday in Brazil.
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“The most important thing now is Thursday’s match”, Melgarejo concluded.
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