2024-10-30 03:32:00
Atlético Mineiro knows how to defend the three-goal advantage gained in the first round and advanced to the Copa Libertadores final for the first time in 11 years after drawing 0-0 with River Plate.
In the second leg of the regional semi-finals, the Brazilian team showed a defensive attitude to ensure that they would participate in the decisive showdown that will be held on November 30 at the Memorial Stadium in Buenos Aires and accurately qualify. qualifications.
“It was a very difficult match for the fans, but we are happy to be in the final,” commented Argentinian defender Rodrigo Battaglia, who has played in the Portuguese and Spanish leagues. “We had our plan in place and it was not about scoring goals against us.”
Mineiro will reach the Copa Libertadores final for the second time after defeating Olimpia Paraguay in 2013 to win their only title.
In this tournament, “Gallo” advanced to the group stage as the second best leader, behind River Plate, after defeating Penarol, Rosario Central and Caracas.
In the knockout rounds, they defeated San Lorenzo and Fluminense before knocking out River Plate, who were looking for a fifth star in the competition.
The other semi-final will be played this Wednesday in Montevideo, where Botafogo arrive with a huge advantage after beating Penarol 5-0 in the first leg in Rio de Janeiro last week of Asia.
Mineiro, the tournament’s top scorer with 21 goals, gave up attacking and only retreated to build on their 3-0 win in Belo Horizonte a week earlier.
In need of an epic comeback, River Plate, with the support of more than 80,000 fans, came out to pressure and contain “Gallo”.
The Millionaires’ first attack was a set piece from Paulo Dias and Pablo Solari.
Facundo Colidio joins Miguel Borja in attack and his mobility worries Mineiro’s defence, of which Battaglia is the standout Player, he made about twenty clearances to move the ball away from the goal.
Marcelo Gallardo’s side had 67% possession and 16 shots on goal in the first period, but their dominance and pressure were not enough to open the scoring.
After coach Gabriel Milito’s speech in the dressing room, Atlético Mineiro were more lively in the supplementary period, with Gustavo Scarpa’s shot threatening the crossbar and Diverson’s rebounded shot being deflected by goalkeeper Fernandes. Blocked by Ranko Armani.
As he had done in the first leg, Gallardo moved the halves on game time, bringing on Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantono and Rodrigo Villagra.
The 18-year-old midfielder Echeverry, who has been signed by Manchester City in England, has given River Plate’s offense more ingenuity and creativity.
The 61-year-old Echeverry created a one-on-one with Borja, but Everson blocked him one-on-one when he was about to score.
Shortly after, Everson defended the title again with a timely interception of Maxi Mesa’s header.
With 10 minutes remaining, another local substitute, Gonzalo Martinez, nearly took a free kick but narrowly missed the target.
The start of the game was delayed by 15 minutes due to violence during the previous game, when some buses carrying Brazilian fans were stoned on their way to the stage.
Mineiro had to postpone their departure until police forces could beef up security on the way to the stadium.
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