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Brayan Leons strikes and unprecedented red cards: Sundowns prepare for Esperance second match

Brayan Leons strikes and unprecedented red cards: Sundowns prepare for Esperance second match
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Sundowns remain unbeaten at home in the Champions League over two full seasons, ever since Esperance secured a 1-0 victory against them in the 2024 semi final.

This streak covers 12 matches on home soil, including seven victories and five draws. Their sole home defeat in the tournament during the past five years came against Esperance under the guidance of Miguel Cardoso, who now leads Sundowns.

The team secured the initial leg victory with a goal in the second half from Colombian forward Brayan Leon, who nodded in from a volleyed delivery by Thapelo Morena.

Leon has found the net in his most recent three Champions League outings, accumulating four goals altogether, becoming the first Sundowns player to achieve four in one campaign since Peter Shalulile with six and Cassius Mailula with four in the 2022/23 season.

However, Sundowns faced a setback with a red card shown to defender Grant Kekana for a raised foot challenge, ruling him out of the upcoming leg.

Since the 2023/24 season began, Sundowns have accumulated five red cards in the Champions League, surpassing all other clubs in that timeframe.

The additional dismissals involve Aubrey Modiba on two occasions in 2024/25 and 2025/26, along with Khuliso Mudau and Bathusi Aubaas both in 2024/25. For a team not known for aggressive or foul play, this figure stands out.

Although they scored, Sundowns endured intense pressure from Esperance assaults and generated limited chances of their own. In the first half, they recorded only two contacts inside the Esperance penalty area, the lowest in the opening period of a Champions League fixture for five years.

While not entirely groundbreaking, the triumph in Rades marks a significant rarity. It represents Sundowns second away win in the knockout rounds of the Champions League after 19 attempts, with four draws and thirteen losses. The previous instance was versus CR Belouizdad in the 2022/23 quarter finals.

Prospects appear favourable for Sundowns this Saturday. Esperance have been unable to advance in any of their three Champions League two legged knockout encounters where they lost the home first leg, including the 2000 final against Ghanas Hearts of Oak, and the 2020/21 and 2022/23 semi finals, both to Al Ahly.