 |
| Getty images |
Having broken off for the Copa America Centenario, the 2016 Copa Libertadores swings back into action this week with the semi-final first legs. Lining up are three former winners of the competition in Boca Juniors, Sao Paulo and Atletico Nacional, and last-four newcomers Independiente del Valle. FIFA.com looks ahead to this week’s action, as the battle for the two final slots begins.
The fixturesSemi-final first legs
Wednesday 6 July, 21.45 (local time)
Sao Paulo (BRA) v Atletico Nacional (COL)
Thursday 7 July, 19.45 (local time)
Independiente del Valle (ECU) v Boca Juniors (ARG)
Wednesday 6 July, 21.45 (local time)
Sao Paulo (BRA) v Atletico Nacional (COL)
Thursday 7 July, 19.45 (local time)
Independiente del Valle (ECU) v Boca Juniors (ARG)
Sao Paulo-Atletico Nacional
The stakes
The Brazilians have improved as the tournament has gone on, squeezing out of their group and then seeing off Toluca and Atletico Mineiro. In Jonathan Calleri, they have the tournament’s joint leading scorer with eight goals, and can also call on the services of the talented Ganso, though both he and Chilean defender Eugenio Mena are injury doubts. Despite sitting a lowly tenth in the state championship, the three-time winners will be a force to be reckoned with at the Morumbi, thanks to their impressive Copa record and the experience of their Argentinian coach Edgardo Bauza, a winner of the competition in 2008 and 2014.
The Brazilians have improved as the tournament has gone on, squeezing out of their group and then seeing off Toluca and Atletico Mineiro. In Jonathan Calleri, they have the tournament’s joint leading scorer with eight goals, and can also call on the services of the talented Ganso, though both he and Chilean defender Eugenio Mena are injury doubts. Despite sitting a lowly tenth in the state championship, the three-time winners will be a force to be reckoned with at the Morumbi, thanks to their impressive Copa record and the experience of their Argentinian coach Edgardo Bauza, a winner of the competition in 2008 and 2014.
For their part, the Colombians have put together a superb campaign. Unbeaten in the group phase, they then knocked out Huracan and Rosario Central, edging the second of those ties with a dramatic injury-time winner. While they have sold Jonathan Copete and Victor Ibarbo and will also be without the suspended Orlando Berrio and the injured Francisco Najera, Atletico have brought some new players in, strengthening coach Reinaldo Rueda’s hand as he goes in search of a result that will put them within reach of a place in the final.
The duel
Jonathan Calleri v Alejandro Guerra
Jonathan Calleri v Alejandro Guerra
The Argentinian striker is enjoying an excellent run of form in his first six months with the Brazilian club. Signed from Boca Juniors, Calleri is Bauza’s trump card in his bid to reach another final, and currently heads the tournament’s scoring charts with Ismael Sosa and Marco Ruben, whose clubs are both out of the competition. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan midfielder has been one of the star acts in Atletico’s run. The scorer of three goals to date, one of which helped his side fight back against Rosario Central in the previous round, El Lobito (The Little Wolf) brings a steadying hand and no little talent to a side that is well balanced both in defence and attack.
The stat
8 - the number of times that Sao Paulo have reached the semi-finals of the competition. They have won five of their last-four ties, beating Barcelona in 1992, Cerro Porteno in 1993, Olimpia in 1994, River Plate in 2005 and Guadalajara in 2006. Their other two semis to date ended in defeat, against Once Caldas in 2004 and Internacional in 2010.
8 - the number of times that Sao Paulo have reached the semi-finals of the competition. They have won five of their last-four ties, beating Barcelona in 1992, Cerro Porteno in 1993, Olimpia in 1994, River Plate in 2005 and Guadalajara in 2006. Their other two semis to date ended in defeat, against Once Caldas in 2004 and Internacional in 2010.
What they said“We can’t go for all-out attack. We have to attack properly. Nacional are very good at moving the ball around, and we have to keep our shape and be organised. The fans can be assured that we’ll be giving our all on the pitch. We’re not exactly where we want to be right now, because I don’t know if I’m going to have everyone available, but we’ve already gone further than a lot of people thought we would.” Sao Paulo coach Edgardo Bauza
Independiente del Valle-Boca Juniors
The stakes
The Ecuadorian side’s current campaign is a high point in their history. In winning through to the semis for the first time ever, they ousted defending champions River Plate in the last 16 and Pumas in the quarters. Though they have made no recent signings, Independiente have managed to keep the core of their long-established squad together. Lacking nothing in motivation and fired by their ambition to reach their maiden final, the Ecuadorians will look to put in a strong performance in Quito and take a lead with them to Buenos Aires.
The Ecuadorian side’s current campaign is a high point in their history. In winning through to the semis for the first time ever, they ousted defending champions River Plate in the last 16 and Pumas in the quarters. Though they have made no recent signings, Independiente have managed to keep the core of their long-established squad together. Lacking nothing in motivation and fired by their ambition to reach their maiden final, the Ecuadorians will look to put in a strong performance in Quito and take a lead with them to Buenos Aires.
South American giants Boca are the second most successful side in the history of the Libertadores with six tournament wins, though they have gone nine years without lifting the trophy. Ever obsessed with claiming the crown, their fans are hoping that drought is about to end. Having brought in the likes of Dario Benedetto and the promising Fernando Zuqui, and already boasting Carlos Tevez, goalkeeper Agustin Orion and defender Daniel Cata Diaz, coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto has good reason to believe Boca have the resources to win through.
The duel
Librado Azcona v Carlos Tevez
Librado Azcona v Carlos Tevez
The Independiente del Valle custodian has been one of the revelations of the competition. A cornerstone of the Ecuadorian outfit’s success this year, Azcona began to make a name for himself with a stunning performance against River in the Round of 16, pulling off a string of saves at the Monumental to steer his side through. Argentinian star Tevez is in fine fettle, meanwhile, and is aiming to win the trophy for a second time, having formed part of the Boca side that won it in 2003 under Carlos Bianchi. A club legend, Tevez is Los Xeneizes’ star asset as they go in search of a seventh Libertadores title.
The stat
6 - the number of semi-finals Boca Juniors have won since the current format was adopted in 1988, more than any other side. Of the eight semis they have contested since then, the Argentinians have lost only two: to Colo Colo in 1991 and Fluminense in 2008.
6 - the number of semi-finals Boca Juniors have won since the current format was adopted in 1988, more than any other side. Of the eight semis they have contested since then, the Argentinians have lost only two: to Colo Colo in 1991 and Fluminense in 2008.
What they said
“Boca’s history in the Copa Libertadores doesn’t give them an advantage. We’re focusing on winning our home game, and once the game’s over, we’ll see what we need to do in Argentina. We’ve been building our confidence by getting results. We haven’t been favourites in any of our ties and we’re feeling strong now. We have to believe in ourselves.”Independiente del Valle coach Pablo Repetto
“Boca’s history in the Copa Libertadores doesn’t give them an advantage. We’re focusing on winning our home game, and once the game’s over, we’ll see what we need to do in Argentina. We’ve been building our confidence by getting results. We haven’t been favourites in any of our ties and we’re feeling strong now. We have to believe in ourselves.”Independiente del Valle coach Pablo Repetto