Gustavo Álvarez has made it clear that Aucas vs LDU Quito on Saturday 17 October at 16:30 at the Gonzalo Pozo Ripalda is the most important match in front of his side, with Liga de Quito arriving into the Superclásico capitalino after a 2-1 comeback over Barcelona SC.
The Liga coach’s message is simple: the next game is the one that matters most because it is the one he can shape most directly. He also stressed that winning in this kind of fixture comes not from the occasion alone, but from playing well and being better than the rival. With the fight for the first places in the hexagonal tightening, that is a standard Liga will need to meet again.
Álvarez: the next game is always the biggest one
Before the meeting with Barcelona SC, Álvarez said he always tells his squad that the next match is the most important, because it is the one they can work on and influence. That approach fits the rhythm of a team that is trying to stay stable and keep improving through the decisive part of the season.
He added that, beyond the reasons any derby carries weight, matches are won by playing well and by being superior to the opponent. It is a firm, uncomplicated message, but one that tends to matter most when the stakes rise and fine margins start to define the table.
Liga de Quito arrive with momentum
Liga de Quito come into the trip to Aucas with confidence after beating Barcelona SC 2-1 at the Rodrigo Paz Delgado, a result sealed by goals from Fernando Cornejo and Alexander Alvarado. For Álvarez, that performance was evidence that the team is growing and becoming more settled in its level and its structure.
That matters because this is already the third recent encounter between Aucas and Liga during Álvarez’s time in charge. When teams know each other this well, the details become even more important: compactness, discipline and the ability to impose an idea of play for long stretches of the match.
Alvarado’s confidence adds another layer
Alexander Alvarado also underlined the mood inside the squad after ending his scoring frustration for the year. He said it had been frustrating not to score earlier in the campaign, but hopes he can keep finding the net in the games that remain.
He also spoke warmly about the group, describing it as a healthy and strong unit, and acknowledged the season Aucas have had as well. That adds another layer to Saturday’s match: this is not just a clash for points, but a meeting between two sides with enough quality to make the Superclásico capitalino feel like a genuine test of where each team stands.
For Liga de Quito, the calculation is straightforward. They have momentum, they have a clear message from their coach, and they know the result in Quito and Aucas could shape the next step in the race for the top places in the hexagonal.
