Copa Libertadores

1st leg Qualfication to the Group stage January 24th- January 26th.

Arsenal de Sarandí 3 Sport Huaycano 0

Not a good performance from Arsenal but got job done against opponents who played quite well but hindered themselves by making silly defensive mistakes. I had no complaints of the Central defender of Arsenal, Lisandro López, who is interesting some European clubs.

National 1 Libertad 0

This was a surprise result. But the right result as National played quite intelligent and Libertad looked a little average probably because of the altitude factor. Libertad's debutant keeper Rodrigo Muñoz made some good saves keeping the score to 1.

U Española 1 Tigres 0

Really this was Unión Española v Tigres B. Given that, I would have expected total domination from the Chileans but actually it was quite even game and probably Tigres B should have been ahead at Half time. I don't complain though, always good to see new players and forward Alan Pulido of Tigres looked lively.

Real Potosí 2 Flamengo 1

Not a surprise- altitude, poor form of the Brazilians, therefore expected. Globoesporte.com gave some statistics that suggested the aerial game was reason for this defeat and judging by goals scored against Flamengo, that seems right conclusion.

International 1 Once Caldas 0

Game of the round and thanks to Leandro Dãmiao, International take the advantage. Another game from him though where he's very smart -Inzaghi style in the box- but goes many minutes without doing nothing; that includes lack of hold up play or participation in the teamattacks. Its something he has to work on before he moves to Europe.

Aside from him, Andrés D'Alessandro was very good and amazes me why the Euro teams have given up on him. Not too much can be said about Once Caldas; they lacked deepness in the forward positions and were quite satisfied with just the 1 goal defeat

Peñarol 4 Caracas 0

Easy win for Peñarol but were helped massively by 2 goalkeeper mistakes and 1 defensive mistake.

Good players for Penarol
:Alejandro González -23 old central defender, good in the anticipation, lets see how he progresses.
:Nicolas Freitas -controlling that midfield with mixture of agression and calmness

Good players for Caracas
:Amaral -Brazilian right side fullback/winger
:Angelo Peña -gives off a good impression of a good wnger/atacking forward without being too extragavant

The 2nd leg matches from Jan 31st - February 2nd.

Libertad [0] v National[1]

National played well in the first leg, but home advantage should be good enough

Home win [maybe on handicap], Libertad through

Sport Huaycano [0] vArsenal de Sarandí [3]

Looks over but I think Sport Huaycano can maybe get 1 goal and keep things interesting

Draw, Arsenal through

Flamengo [1] v Real Potosí [2]

In the balance but it should be Flamengo's night. I'm positive they are not a good team, so alternatively the shock is also feasible

Going for a 3-0 win, or more, Flamengo through

Once Caldas [0] vInternational [1]

Once Caldas have a lot of improving to do. Not enough pace, precision or ideas shown in the first leg. Internacional had also problems -started well and then settled to being normal afterwards. They used 4-2-3-1 with Dagoberto on the left and Oscar on the right. In my view, thats wrong formation and I prefer Oscar in the hole with Dagoberto and Damião ahead

International through in extra time

Caracas [0] vPeñarol [4]

Probably both sides will use reserves. Ignore.

Maybe some pride for Caracas but Peñarol obviously to go through

Tigres [0] vU Española [1]

Depends on what team Tigres play. If the first team come out, then a comfortable win for them, otherwise the Chileans have some good players to take advantage of Mexican weakness

Away win, U Española to go through

Good stuff Sottobosco! I think I'm going for Católica this year. I would favour De Chile, but they're obviously not the same without Vargas... Do you know if they've bothered signing a replacement with some of the €13.6 million, or is Sampaoli doing a Wenger?

I would not count out U de Chile. They still have a great midfield [its why they are called the Barcelona of the Americas]

You ask what they used the Vargas money on? I count 6 new players; only 2 which I heard of. Those 2 are quite good IMO

Have you herd of Raul Ruidíaz before? He was in last year's Copa América and could replace Vargas maybe. They also got Roberto Cereceda from Universidad Católica, one of the regonisable names from Católica

There is also a wonderkid that I have heard about called Igor Lichnovsky, 17, defender, Chelsea have been in touch.

So all in all still a good bet for the title.

Just to clear this up, this tournament is the South American version of the Champions League, right?

Edit: Nice posts btw, I like how you've put all the little badges in for each team. Good stuff.

It is and thanks. In my mind, it is better then the CL because the football is more free and you don't see a lot of European 4-5-1 tactics.

D'Alessandro shined in the 2-2 draw of Inter - Once Caldas, that means Leandro Damiao's team gets a spot, while Once lose

They improved but overall Inter was just more dangerous, so it's a fair result.

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Another thing i love about South American tournaments is how Copa Sudamericana holds almost the same reputation Copa Libertadores has, which pretty much means quality football during most of the year, but that's another topic.

Just to clear this up, this tournament is the South American version of the Champions League, right?

Edit: Nice posts btw, I like how you've put all the little badges in for each team. Good stuff.

You've got competition now, mate.

Anyone know how Arsenal de Sarandi are doing?

Another thing i love about South American tournaments is how Copa Sudamericana holds almost the same reputation Copa Libertadores has, which pretty much means quality football during most of the year, but that's another topic.

I am always confused by these tourneys. Suda is equivalent to UCL while Libertadores is Europa?

Libertadores -> UCL
Sudamericana -> Europa

Arsenal gained a spot after drawing 1-1 with sport Huaycano on the 2nd leg.

The groups are this

Group 1
Internacional (BRA)
Juan Aurich (PER)
Santos (BRA)
The Strongest (BOL)

** Fancy Inter and Santos, easily.

Group 2

Emelec (ECU)
Flamengo (BRA)
Lanús (ARG)
Olimpia (PAR)

** Going for Emelec and Lanús, but Flamengo might have a shout.

Group 3

Bolívar (BOL)
Junior (COL)
Universidad Católica (CHI)
Unión Española (CHI)

** Católica, and i hope Junior, not sure how good Union Española is.

Group 4

Arsenal de Sarandí (ARG)
Boca Juniors (ARG)
Fluminense (BRA)
Zamora (VEN)

** Going for Boca and Arsenal, this group looks tough.

Group 5

Alianza Lima (PER)
Libertad (PAR)
Nacional (URU)
Vasco Da Gama (BRA)

** Libertad and Nacional will qualify imo.

Group 6

Corinthians (BRA)
Deportivo Táchira (VEN)
Cruz Azul (MEX)
Nacional Asunción (PAR)

** pfft, i barely know about these 4 teams, so i guess Corinthians and Cruz Azul

Group 7

Defensor Sporting (URU)
Deportivo Quito (ECU)
Guadalajara (Chivas) (MEX)
Velez Sarsfield (ARG)

** Velez and Deportivo Quito, they almost always deliver

Group 8

Atlético Nacional (COL)
Godoy Cruz (ARG)
Peñarol (URU)
Universidad de Chile (CHI)

** Universidad de Chile and Peñarol, sadly don't see Atlético Nacional making it


Matches start next Tuesday

Boca, if anything, will be very hard to beat. Their defensive record last season in the league was ridiculous.

Sotto, so De Chile raided Católica did they?! There's me thinking things may have been different than most places in Chile for some reason....!! I don't think Católica have ever let me down when I've bet on them, or Chile, so I'm staying loyal to them.

Football and entertainment wise, this competition pisses all over the CL IMO. There are a few boring games, but on the whole it's a blast - pure theatre!. It's a nightmare to bet on though, and not for the feint hearted. 101st minute equalisers/winners are not uncommon! I have a soft spot for Junior (COL) and hope they go well. Always entertain regardless.

Copa Libertadores winners by club

Independiente - Avellanada, Argentina, 7 (and never lost a Final): 1964, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1984
Boca Juniors - Buenos Aires, Argentina, 6: 1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007
Peñarol - Montevideo, Uruguay, 5: 1960, 1961, 1966, 1982, 1987 (lost last year's Final)
Estudiantes - La Plata, Argentina, 4: 1968, 1969, 1970, 2009

3-time winners

São Paulo - Brazil: 1992, 1993, 2005
Nacional- Montevideo, Uruguay: 1971, 1980, 1988
Olimpia - Asuncion, Paraguay: 1979, 1990, 2002
Santos - Santos, Brazi: 1962, 1963, 2011 (defending champions, first time since Pele was young)

2-time winners

Grêmio - Porto Alegre, Brazil: 1983, 1995
River Plate - Buenos Aires, Argentina: 1986, 1996
Cruzeiro - Belo Horizonte, Brazil: 1976, 1997
Internacional - Porto Alegre, Brazil: 2006, 2010

Won it once

Racing Club - Avellaneda, Argentina: 1967
Flamengo - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 1981
Argentinos Juniors - Buenos Aires, Argentina: 1985
Atlético Nacional - Medellin, Colombia: 1989
Colo-Colo - Santiago, Chile: 1991
Vélez Sársfield - Buenos Aires, Argentina: 1994
Vasco da Gama - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: 1998
Palmeiras - Sao Paulo, Brazil: 1999
Once Caldas - Manizales, Colombia: 2004
LDU Quito - Quito, Ecuador: 2008

América de Cali (Colombia, 4 times), Deportivo Cali (Colombia), Cobreloa (Chile), Newell's Old Boys (Argentina), Barcelona (Ecuador -- each of those clubs twice each), Universitario (Peru), Unión Española (Chile), Universidad Católica (Chile), Sporting Cristal (Peru), Cruz Azul (Mexico), São Caetano (Brazil), Atlético Paranaense (Brazil), Fluminense (Brazil) and Guadalajara (Mexico) have all reached the Final but never won it.

Copa Libertadores winners by country

Argentina, 22
Brazil, 15
Uruguay, 8
Paraguay, 3
Colombia, 2
Chile, 1
Ecuador, 1

Argentina & Brazil combined, 37
All other countries, 15

Groupstage, Week 1

Defensor Sporting [0] v Vélez Sársfield [3]

A good win for perhaps the best balanced team in the competition. Mauro Obolo has started his Vélez career well.

Chivas [1] v Deportivo Quito [1]

Last minute equaliser for Chivas gives them an undeserved point. They have good young players but don't really do teamwork. Deportivo Quito on the other hand look quite fluent and have 2 key players that could help them progress further: Matías Alustiza, forward or 2nd forward, scored their goal and Fidel Martínez who has similarities to Neymar in looks and playing style.

Fluminense [1] v Arsenal [0]

Really average game and I was expecting better after the early goal from Fluminense. For some reason they have let last year's best attacking midfielder in the Libertadores, Martinuccio, go on loan to Villarreal and I think they lack that spark which he could have given them.

Nacional [1] v Cruz Azul [2]

Defending was not welcome in this game, so the winner was decided by who played the more superior football. That was Cruz Azul, who could be thought of as a worse version of Arsenal. I note the inclusion of Carlos Vela's brother Alejandro in Cruz Azul's team. Similar in style but probably a more big body.

Unión Española [2] v Junior [0]

2 quick goals in the 2nd half win an 50/50 match for Unión Española. Right now, you would say Chilean football > Colombian football and we are nearing a situation where its close or equal to Argentine football.

Vasco de Gama [1] v Club Nacional [2]

Big result for Nacional against one of the favourites. For me, they showed title winning form here. What we can conclude is that Vasco need all first team players[some were missing] playing, and in form [a lot wasn't] to have a title chance. Dedé, who some rate the best central defender in South America, was horrible. I'm calling it from now he will not be as good as they say. Now on the opposite side, Alexis Rolin, who has no hype performed excellent, especially in interceptions.

Internacional [2] v Juan Aurich [0]

2-0 was enough, when probably they should have won 4-0. This was because keeper Penny made some good saves and Leandro Damião wasn't so precise in finishing. My favourite player in South America, Oscar, scored and overall he was the leader in constructing the win. I'm confident he will be in the full Brasil side soon. Frankly their team needs a player like this.

Libertad [4] v Alianza Lima [1]

Apart from their central defence, everything about Libertad looks good. Their play, their midfield, their squad power, competent keeper all in good condition. What has to be noted though is that they only took the lead through a ridculous dive to get a penalty from talented 17 year old Mauro Caballero.

Universidad Católica [1] v Bolívar [1]

A surprise result. On paper this should have been easy for Católica but Bolívar's 2 creative midfidelers Jhasmani Campos and Rudy Cardozo were clever in creating problems for Católica. Católica's 2 main players Felipe Gutiérrez and Francisco Silva never functioned, so it was left to the new forward Nicolás Trecco to be the star player for the home side. Católica not a title candidate for me due to a loose goalie and defence.

Emelec [1] v Olimpia [0]

Very wet pitch meant lots of puddles suiting the home side. Marlon de Jesús looked intresting and was one of very few players able to play football on this poor pitch.

Groupstage, Week 2

Zamora [0] v Boca Juniors [0]

Boca have quite a compact team but to win the Libertadores, you need a bit of youth, imagination and flair. With Boca, they have a lot of aged players and Juan Román Riquelme doesn't deliver now. I need to see how they do at la Bombonera to judge better.

Lanús[1] v Flamengo [1]

A really smart team goal from Flamengo just before half time was the key to the whole game - maybe 20 pass move??? In any case, it helped condition the match. Flamengo didn't have to do anything, they had Lanús where they wanted them. Lanús were hurried in passing and perhaps got lucky to get the equaliser.

To me, key aspect from both teams was poor quality forwards. Mariano Pavone for Lanús is a fadeing player, Deivid for Flamengo doesn't have great movement.

The Strongest [2] v Santos [1]

This truthfully could have been, no should have been, 7-3 to Santos. Neymar must have missed 5 good chances. The Strongest also had some opportunities but really Santos will be annoyed they didn't win this.

Defensor Sporting [2] v Deportivo Quito [0]

A good victory for Defensor Sporting. recovering well from last week's unjustified defeat to Vélez. They looked OK overall but weren't tested too much by Quito's big 2 of Matías Alustiza and Fidel Martínez.

Atlético Nacional [2] v U de Chile [0]

Boom! Game of the week and a tactical masterclass from Atlético Nacional. Exactly the type of tactics they must play against a team who pass and move so sharply. I think the pitch helped them but nevertheless lots of pace, lots of running from deep positions and closing down especially on U de Chile's defenders.

Man, that Dorlan Pabón is lightning quick and got good ball skills. I want him in Europe very quick.

Deportivo Táchira [1] v Corinthians [1]

I don't know. Is a 1-1 draw to a Venezuela team good enough for the Brasil champions? That doesn't signal Libertadores winners but maybe its just a slow start for them.

Nacional [1] v Libertad [2]

Ooooh! A surprising away win for Libertad against a very decent Nacional team. Game of 2 halfs. 1st half Nacional uses home advantage well and gets a halftime lead. 2nd half, the quality midfield led by Victor Cáceres gets a grip of midfield and Miguel Samudio - the brilliant leftback - and Mauro Cabellero - the very interesting 17 year old - benefit from that. 6 points from 2 games now for Libertad. Definite contenders.

Godoy Cruz [1] v Peñarol [0]

Horrid match. Gave up watching towards end but there were some moments that worth noting e.g. the goal from the standout player Diego Villar and the ridiculous miss from 'Tito' Ramírez that stopped it being 2-0.

How Godoy beat Peñarol I'll never know - they could have been 6-0 up at half time. Godoy looked a different side after the break, but a thrashing awaits them in Uruguay.

Boca looked poor offensively, but really tight at the back away at Zamora. For a side looking to move forward after winnnng the league, they go out and buy journeyman Santiago Silva? Strange.

Nacional played well in beating De Chile, who just don't look the same side without Vargas. Pabón ran them ragged.

Velez look a good side again this year!

Catolica had the ball for 88 minutes and drew. That equaliser cost me a few quid!

Corinthians' 94th minute equaliser won me some! The ref blew the whistle as soon as the ball hit the back of the net

Nice. How much have you seen of Corinthians? I don't really understand why they won the Brasileirão and why they are favourites for Libertadores?

Also Partidazo tonight of Peñarol and Atlético Nacional. .

From what i heard Nacional should have won that game by a bigger margin.. As for Pabón, he's a good player but kinda inconsistent in the league (which Nacional are currently leading).. i agree he does have a future in Europe though.


Can't see Nacional being as lethal tonight despite resting the first team for this match, but maybe it'll be an exciting draw, 1-1

Well they are proving me wrong so far

1-0 Nacional winning at 25th minute, Pabon being really threatening and Peñarol's attacking a bit short of ideas with Zalayeta trying

It has been a good game, both teams look lively.

Yeah, crazy level of pace, they look sweet. eres colombiano?

You don't see games like this in the Group Stage of CL

Yeah, crazy level of pace, they look sweet. eres colombiano?

Si

3-0 Pabón.. Nacional attack is just stunning.

For sure. Pabón looks like this season's Eduardo Vargas.

More results

Bolivar 1 - 3 Union Española

Arsenal 3 - 0 Zamora.. pretty easy game for them

Nice. How much have you seen of Corinthians? I don't really understand why they won the Brasileirão and why they are favourites for Libertadores?

Also Partidazo tonight of Peñarol and Atlético Nacional. .

Not much, but from what I have seen, there are at least 7 clubs I'd have in front of them. Favourites? Incredible. Winners of the Brasileirão would attract money, so I suppose that's why they are. And Santos won it last year!

Penarol murdered again last night too at home! Pabón unstoppable again

Godoy Cruz 4 - 4 Nacional.. why, why did i miss that game?

Watching Junior - Bolivar, Junior with more possesion atm but not doing much.

I watched every minute of it... Nacional looked great value (13/5) against Godoy who are better away from home.

From 1-0 down, they equalised within 10 minutes, and then went 1-2 up. Then it goes 2-2, before Nacional lead again 2-3. It then goes to 3-3, and Nacional score again 30 seconds later to go 3-4 in front. Godoy then equalise in the 92nd minute. 4 ******* 4 FT.

**** my life.

How did Bolivar win that game? Madness.

Junior were poor most of the time tbf, some friends already hate Paez for the sitter he missed.

The best part however was when Bolivar started the counter with Junior's keeper attacking on the rival area, and the linesman decided to give offside just because. Hilarious stuff.

Arsenal about to play Boca, can be a great match.

Boca are hurt after the 4-5 against Independiente on their league.