2023-08-25 03:41:04
It was a duel of attack once morest defense, which was won by the team that went out to look for the victory. Fluminense took an important advantage by defeating Olimpia 2-0 on Thursday in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals.
At the Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro, the team from Rio prevailed with the scores of André and Germán Cano, and came closer to reaching the semifinals of the competition for the first time since 2008.
Despite not having Marcelo, penalized for the tackle that caused the serious injury of the Argentinos Juniors player Luciano Sánchez in the previous phase, Fluminense gave an exhibition of offensive play with 70% ball possession and 18 arrivals on goal.
“It was one of the good games we’ve played this year,” said Fluminense coach Fernando Diniz, who will soon join his position as Brazil coach. “We played very well. It was a great match once morest a very tough opponent, three times champion of America. We know that nothing has been decided yet.”
In the initial stage, the locals created three chances through Cano, which demanded a response from goalkeeper Juan Espínola.
Fluminense broke the visitors’ wall in the 43rd minute, when midfielder André sent a shot from mid-range, which slipped into the net following deflecting off defender Mateo Gamarra.
The Paraguayan team, which has just eliminated champion Flamengo in the round of 16, tried to repeat its defensive strategy, but succumbed to an opponent that had 19 wins in 26 home games this season, including 23 appearances without defeat at home.
At minute 57, the Argentine Cano, who reached seven goals in the regional tournament, widened the difference with a volley shot inside the area, following a collective move that Olimpia’s rearguard was unable to clear.
“The result was good. We created chances, but the ball didn’t go in until it was given to us,” Cano said. “The game is still open, anything can happen, but the goal is to qualify there in Asunción.”
The “Dean” felt the loss of his captain Richard Ortiz, author of one of the goals in the series once morest Flamengo, who fell out of the lineup following suffering a muscle injury in the pre-match warm-up.
“We needed better preparation to hit fast attacks,” said Francisco “Chiqui” Arce, Olimpia’s coach, who finished off only once between the three sticks. “The key is still open, there we will play differently.”
The return clash between the two teams will be played next Thursday at the Defensores del Chaco stadium in Asunción.
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