Over the past few years, a flurry of Brazilian superclubs have been pressuring the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, and there seems little chance of loosening the grip in 2022.
There is more money in the Brazilian game and, with European clubs now more concerned with teenage promises than players in their mid-20s, some clubs in Brazil have been able to train assemble and retain top quality teams and then dominate the Libertadores year after year.
The 2019 champions and having beaten last year’s finalists, Rio’s Flamengo are very close to reaching the last four of this year’s tournament after last week’s quarter-final first leg, when they won 2-0 against Corinthians of Sao Paulo.
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Corinthians have been honing their results all year – they have scored just 5 goals in the 9 games they have played in this tournament. They were the better players in the first half hour, but the game ended effectively when Giorgian De Arrascaeta scored a superb opening goal for the hosts. Once Flamengo took the lead, the result was unquestionable. They can defend deep and unleash their formidable collection of offensive talent. In the end, Corinthians were lucky to come out with a 0-2 loss, and something bad will happen to Flamengo in front of their fans on Tuesday night if their semi-final spot slips.
The champions of the last two years, Palmeiras looks in danger of losing the title in the first leg of the quarter-finals, against domestic champions Atletico Mineiro. Immediately after the first half, Palmeiras was two goals ahead and rocked. The crowd at the Mineirao Stadium spoke out and fully believed that last year’s defeat in the semifinals was about to be avenged. But at the final whistle, they passed away much more quietly, their euphoria punctuated by a fight back by Palmeiras.
Portuguese coach Abel Ferreira is making a name for himself at Palmeiras with some stellar records. He has been very successful in developing players, as well as building a team with both mentality and tactical plan. Gustavo Scarpa’s two beautiful combinations from the left foot made it 2-2, preserving Palmeiras’ long unbeaten record away at Libertadores and keeping them close to reaching the semi-finals. . Last year, they knocked Atletico out thanks to an away goal and, after scoring twice at Belo Horizonte, they are probably sorry that this rule is no longer in effect. But Abel’s Palmeiras always seems to find a way to win, and now it would be a surprise if Atletico can get past them.
While Atletico and Palmeiras fought, a similar match also took place between the two teams from Argentina. Youth side Velez Sarsfield appeared to have established control as they took a two-goal lead, but Talleres, under Portuguese coach Pedro Caixinha, adjusted their formation and hit back to equalize, before when Velez scored a late goal to take the lead over Cordoba. for Wednesday’s return match. The clear thinking for whoever wins is that it’s almost certain Flamengo will be waiting in the semi-finals.
That might be the strongest challenge from Argentina that will come from Estudiantes. But first, they will have to overcome a determined and brave opponent, Athletico Paranaense. Unlike the other four Brazilian clubs still playing, Athletico has never won the Libertadores. But they are the defending champions of the Copa Sudamericana, the equivalent of the Europa League, and an ambitious team with dreams of winning the Club World Cup. They have also invested seriously in their quest for glory this year. It’s about the volume that their main consolidation, Fernandinhofrom City of Manchesterwhile Estudiantes brought in striker Mauro Mendez from Montevideo Wanderers.
But Athletico failed to capitalize on home advantage in Thursday’s goalless first leg. However, this makes the return leg interesting. On the one hand, Estudiantes are very strong at home, and there is always a threat from coordination and open play. In contrast, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Athletico were the happiest on the counter-attack. They lack the space to make their transitions at home and may have to play further away to their liking. But the high odds in this match will bring the quarterfinals to a close. Estudiantes versus Athletico will determine if the last 4 games are the case for two teams for Argentina and Brazil, with three-on-one in favor of Brazil.
Brazil is also likely to dominate the Sudamericana. There is certainty of one of the semi-finals from Brazil – Sao Paulo will lead Ceara 1-0 after the first leg. And there’s also a good chance of two more. Atletico Goianiense disappointed with their Luis Suarez debut in the second game against Nacional, and returned to Uruguay with a 1–0 win. It was a counter-attack, with some excellent Brazilian goalkeepers – and the same applies to Internacional’s 0-0 draw against Peru’s Melgar. Both Brazilian teams are favorites in front of their own fans. Future opposition is likely to come from Ecuador’s Independiente del Valle, who won the first leg 1-0 against Deportivo Tachira of Venezuela, and are now counting on Quito’s heights to give the hosts the edge. .
