Palestino host Deportivo Riestra at the Estadio Municipal de La Cisterna on 26 May 2026 in the final Group F matchday of the Copa Sudamericana, with both clubs already eliminated after Montevideo City Torque and Gremio claimed the top two spots weeks ago. Palestino sit fourth with four points fewer than third-placed Riestra and have not won a single group game, making this their only chance to avoid a winless group stage campaign.
Guillermo Farre took over Palestino in late April and Guillermo Duro arrived at Riestra just weeks earlier, so this is the first time these two Argentine coaches have met. Duro has built Riestra around a compact defensive block rather than trying to control games through possession, while Farre's 4-3-3 has struggled to find pockets between defensive lines, particularly against sides who defend deep. At least the tactical contrast is real, even if it has produced one goalless draw between them so far.
Palestino's domestic results include a 2-1 win at Union La Calera and a 5-1 demolition of La Serena, though neither of those opponents pressed them the way Riestra will and in the Sudamericana they have failed to score in four of their five group games, with the 2-0 loss to Gremio the most damaging. Riestra have fared worse continentally, shipping four against Montevideo City Torque and three against Gremio, though their defensive shape has held together better in domestic competition.
Palestino have a full squad available and should line up in their usual 4-3-3 with Perez in goal, a back four of Zuniga, Roco, Espinoza and Garguez and Munder, Nelson da Silva and Carrasco leading the attack. Riestra are without Mateo Ramirez and Nicolas Benegas until at least early June, forcing Duro into adjustments across his usual five man back line of Arce, Saavedra, Stringa, Gallo, Randazzo and Mino, with Watson, Goitia and Flores in midfield and Obredor and Smarra Vargas up front, losing Ramirez from the back five means Duro may have no natural cover in that position from the bench.
Riestra have conceded nine times in five group matches, which tells you their back five is not as solid as the shape suggests. Palestino need to drag those defenders wide and find da Silva in behind, whereas Riestra's plan is to stay compact, hit on the counter through Watson and Flores and settle for a 0-0 or a 1-0 they can defend. The 0-0 in April came with Riestra's block in place from the first whistle and Palestino unable to play through it and nothing has changed in the structure of either side since.
Home advantage at La Cisterna matters, particularly given that Palestino genuinely need this win while Riestra, already third, are mainly here to avoid another three or four goal evening. Palestino need this more, Riestra are weakened at the back and the home crowd will push them: 1-0 to the hosts. If Palestino can drag Riestra's back five wide in the first twenty minutes before legs tire, the space will be there.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
