Ritual Disrupted as Olimpia Captains Lead Unusual Derby Warm-Up

The buildup to the Paraguayan derby between Cerro Porteño and Olimpia, scheduled for this Sunday, took an unexpected turn during the pre-match rituals. Olimpia’s captain, Richard Ortíz, known for his superstitious custom of inspecting the pitch at the opponent’s home venue, La Olla Azulgrana, arrived dressed in flip-flops despite an attempt to halt this tradition ahead of the Clausura matchday 17.

As Ortíz guided the Olimpia team out of the tunnel towards the field, they encountered a locked gate, preventing their entry for several minutes. To pass the time, the players began singing, creating a lighthearted atmosphere amid the delay.

Eventually, the players were granted access, allowing Ortíz to fulfill his ritual. He stepped onto the pitch in his flip-flops while enjoying a coffee, with some teammates choosing to follow suit and forgo traditional sneakers.

In addition to his unique warm-up, Ortíz bears an intriguing distinction as a nemesis to Cerro. Having progressed through Olimpia’s academy, he spent time at Toluca and Libertad before rejoining the three-time Libertadores champions in 2016. As of this match, Ortíz has scored seven goals in 50 derby appearances, including a memorable scissor kick during a crucial match in the 2022 Clausura that helped clinch the title.

As the game commenced, Ortíz and his team found early success, leading their rivals 1–0 at halftime, thanks to a stunning goal from 19-year-old forward Eduardo Delmas. This victory positions Olimpia firmly at the top of the league with 36 points, a four-point lead over Nacional, while Cerro Porteño remains seventh with 24 points, with five full rounds of fixtures still remaining.