Barcelona Coach Pablo Trobbiani Previews Crucial Macará Clash Amid Libertadores Push

Barcelona SC head coach Pablo Trobbiani addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s 16:30 kickoff against Macará in Ambato, describing the Liga Ecuabet fixture as decisive for the club’s ambition to qualify for next year’s CONMEBOL Libertadores. Speaking in a press conference, the Spanish-born, Argentine-nationalized tactician praised his opponents’ two-year project while confirming injury setbacks and offering updates on key attacking options. With the fifth date of the first hexagonal approaching, Trobbiani’s comments outline how Barcelona intends to balance respect for a well-drilled rival with its own attacking identity.

Trobbiani Respects Macará’s Organization and Tactical Threat

Trobbiani credited Macará with a coherent two-year process, stressing that sustained development is important in building a competitive side. He singled out experienced figures such as Posse, Campana, and Cazares, describing them as players of considerable trajectory who are dynamic in attack. According to the coach, Macará’s strengths include mobility up front, intense pressure in midfield, quick ball recovery, and vertical transitions.

“I believe it is a well-organized team. They have important players, not only Posse, Campana, and Cazares, who are players of great trajectory and are dynamic up front.”

Despite the challenge, the Barcelona coach insisted his team will continue to propose its own game. “There will be moments when we do it well and moments when we do it less well,” he said. Trobbiani also acknowledged the logistical difficulty of playing at altitude in Ambato and warned that Macará’s current form represents a streak worth breaking.

Benedetto Earns Coach’s Trust, but Starting XI Remains Open

Regarding striker Benedetto, Trobbiani was clear about his belief in the player’s quality. “We believe in him. He is known as a lethal striker,” the coach said. However, Trobbiani declined to confirm whether Benedetto would start against Macará, stating that the team selection had not yet been finalized.

Joao Rojas Advances in Recovery Without Being Rushed

Injury news also featured prominently in the update. Trobbiani reported that Joao Rojas is “evolving favorably” and has returned to wearing boots, training on the field on an alternate-day basis. The coach emphasized that Barcelona will not accelerate the process, preferring to reintegrate Rojas into group training only when he is fully ready to rejoin the squad.

Jhonny Quiñónez Misses Ambato Trip

Midfielder Jhonny Quiñónez will not be available for Saturday’s match. Trobbiani confirmed that Quiñónez is dealing with a small tear in his calf muscle and is receiving treatment, ruling him out of the encounter in Ambato.

Libertadores Qualification Hangs in the Balance

Barcelona enters the fifth date of the first hexagonal needing results to keep its Libertadores hopes alive. The match against Macará kicks off at 16:30 on Saturday. A positive result in Ambato would strengthen Barcelona’s position in the race for one of Ecuador’s coveted continental spots, while a setback could complicate its path toward next year’s tournament.

Trobbiani’s comments paint the picture of a coach balancing respect for a credible opponent with confidence in his squad’s attacking philosophy. While injuries to Quiñónez and the cautious handling of Rojas limit his options, the continued trust in experienced players such as Benedetto suggests Barcelona will lean on quality in the final third. For a side chasing Libertadores football, the Ambato encounter represents both a test of character and an opportunity to move closer to its objective.

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