Tradition Doesn’t Hold True in the Copa Libertadores this Wednesday

By: Bruno Romani | May 3rd, 2007

Tons of Brazilian tradition and history in the Copa Libertadores were in action tonight for the tournament’s round of 16. Together, São Paulo (92,93,05), Santos (62, 63), Flamengo (81) and Grêmio (83, 95) have 8 of the 11 titles Brazil has in the most prestigious tournament of the continent.

Santos visited Caracas as the super favorites, and disappointed its fans who expected an easy victory by the peixe. Coach Wanderley Luxemburgo, whose partner in a few joint ventures in Pará Chico Ferreira confessed killing two people this week, lost in the first-half right-winger Denis and the veteran defender Antônio Carlos with injuries. The defender’s career is closer to an end, given his age and the type of injury, a knee-injury. Still, the club ended the first-half ahead with a goal scored by Zé Roberto at the 16th minute mark.

In the second half, Caracas tied at the 8th minute mark. Dionísio, who replaced Denis, got red-carded, but Kléber scored a spectacular goal to put the Brazilian side ahead of the game again. Four minutes to the end, Caracas tied once more, making the Venezuelans satisfied with the draw. Luxemburgo tried to hide the disappointment by saying he was satisfied with the final score given the context of the game. Too bad he is not that good at lying.

Flamengo managed to do an even more mediocre job. The rubro-negro visited Defensor in Uruguay and was crushed by a 3-0 that left no question about who had the control of the game. Flamengo shot on goal only once and sees now the quarter-finals far way. They’d better win the State league if they want to avoid chaos.

At the Morumbi, São Paulo and Grêmio played the big Brazilian clash in the round of 16 and honored their traditions. Grêmio played a superb first-half, controlling the ball and the midfield. São Paulo shocked its fans by not shooting once in goal, and having to rely one more time on good performance of Rogério Ceni. But Muricy Ramalho changed the paulista side in the half-time, giving a new face to the match.

Miranda celebrates

Dagoberto, just hired from Atlético-PR, went to his debut with São Paulo and with 8 minutes into the second-half found with a classy touch defender Miranda to score the goal of the match. After that, the paulista side grew and missed other chances to increase its advantage. Amoroso had his debut with the gaucho side, returning to the Morumbi, but did little to help his new club to tie the game.

At the end, São Paulo players were just happy Grêmio did not score at the Morumbi, and the gauchos believe that losing by one-goal difference was not that bad. The game next week in Porto Alegre is promising.

Video:

São Paulo 1 x 0 Grêmio

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxhiW_DMb8A