Copa Libertadores 2012

bsc · 6th February 2012, 05:45

Week 1 fixtures:

Tuesday

Fluminense FC v Arsenal de Sarandí
Defensor Sporting v Vélez Sarsfield
Guadalajara v Deportivo Quito

Wednesday

Unión Española v Atlético Junior
Vasco da Gama v Nacional(Uru)
Nacional(Par) v Cruz Azul

Thursday

Internacional v Juan Aurich
Emelec v Olimpia
Universidad Católica v Bolívar
Libertad v Alianza Lima

Snow · 6th February 2012, 05:57

Group 1 is the strongest.

Neutral · 6th February 2012, 06:11

Who are the frontrunners? Don't watch enough South American football - I'm missing out aren't I?

bsc · 6th February 2012, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neutral

Who are the frontrunners? Don't watch enough South American football - I'm missing out aren't I?

Despite appearing tactically naive at times in recent years, any of the Brazilian clubs given their resources(economic boom, etc). Internacional keeping D'Alessandro is a real statement of intent. They have an awkward group with holders Santos there, but at 12/1 or so, definitely worth a punt.

Corinthians will be hard to stop though, made some solid additions to an already strong team, have a very solid backline and Liedson will always get goals. They're the only Paulista giant never to have won the Libertadores(Santos, Sao Paulo and Palmeiras) and it's a total obsession for them; that weight of expectation could again hinder them. The pressure on Tite - after last year's humiliation - is immense.

Cold_Boy · 6th February 2012, 19:59

Who is the strongest team in this competition?

bsc · 6th February 2012, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cold_Boy

Who is the strongest team in this competition?

Corinthians in my opinion. But Fluminense could run them close, Fred is top class. Boca's resurgence is also interesting, the Argentinian league isn't particularly strong in my opinion, but Julio Falcioni has done a good job since taking over and they've done good business recently bringing in Ledesma and Santiago Silva, who was an absolute goal machine at Velez and Banfield.

Cold_Boy · 6th February 2012, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsc

Corinthians in my opinion. But Fluminense could run them close, Fred is top class. Boca's resurgence is also interesting, the Argentinian league isn't particularly strong in my opinion, but Julio Falcioni has done a good job since taking over and they've done good business recently bringing in Ledesma and Santiago Silva, who was an absolute goal machine at Velez and Banfield.

But thanks for the info mate.

bsc · 6th February 2012, 20:52

Brief news:

Quote:

Joel Santana wants to win the Copa Libertadores with Flamengo

The former South Africa and Vasco da Gama coach is hoping he can win the prestigious South American tournament and is already thinking about reinforcements

Flamengo director Paulo Coutinho has said that soon-to-be coach Joel Santana has set his sights on winning the Copa Libertadores.

The 63-year-old coach is set to take over from Vanderlei Luxemburgo, who was sacked last week after his relationship with star player Ronaldinho had become strained.

Santana is aiming high for the Copa Libertadores, with the former Bahia coach already making plans for the transfer market.

"We talked about that [new signings] and a lot of other things," Coutinho told Lancenet. "We only have one place in the Libertadores squad and we have to be very calm to know which player we will register.

"Joel wants to win the competition, no matter what. I thought he was really determined.

"He told us that even though he played for Vasco, his parents were Flamengo supporters and they did everything to make him one too."

Flamengo are through to the Copa Libertadores group stage after defeating Bolivian side Real Potosi, and will meet Olimpia, Emelec and Lanus.

antohan · 6th February 2012, 23:18

Groups 5 and 8 are probably the most competitive, anyone could go through really.

mariachi-19 · 7th February 2012, 02:33

Joga Bonito, Ronaldinho

Neutral · 7th February 2012, 05:10

So the Brazilian clubs getting a lot of justified love....what about the Argentine giants, Boca? River Plate obviously not in it, with them being relegated last season....

sajeev · 7th February 2012, 05:18

not everyone getting "the strongest" jokes, i see

Neutral · 7th February 2012, 05:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajeev

not everyone getting "the strongest" jokes, i see

It's a shocking name...

antohan · 7th February 2012, 10:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by sajeev

not everyone getting "the strongest" jokes, i see

I wondered if Snow meant it that way, as it probably is the strongest group indeed.

I'm rather used to the name, Bolivian sides have always been a bit rubbish but their altitude advantage in La Paz almost guarantees them 3 wins.

Usually, whoever does get a result there guarantees qualification and probably tops the group. It's a bit shit really that non-footballing reasons have such an influence on the final outcome.

I'm still bitter about the 94 qualifiers. They got all points at home and only managed a draw away (bar the customary away win at Venezuela everyone got in those days). Beat Brazil 3-1, yet lost 6-0 in Brazil a few months later. On the last game of the qualifiers they were through and Brazil (eventual WC winners) and Uruguay played each other needing a win to go to the WC along with them.

ness

davisjw · 7th February 2012, 13:23

Vamos Junior! (Colombia)

rcoobc · 7th February 2012, 13:29

They need to get rid of the mexican teams in my opinion

bsc · 7th February 2012, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcoobc

They need to get rid of the mexican teams in my opinion

Never going to happen. Worth a lot of TV money to CONMEBOL. A hell of a lot actually.

relx · 7th February 2012, 13:48

Will Zamora score a late winner against Arsenal?

rcoobc · 7th February 2012, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsc

Never going to happen. Worth a lot of TV money to CONMEBOL. A hell of a lot actually.

Could then create a combined CONCACAF-CONMEBOL competition, for perhaps the 8 semifinalists...

Ah well we've been through this before. Anyway I'm not really into South American football at the moment, not sure why. Probably will end up watching some of the latter stages.

bsc · 7th February 2012, 14:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcoobc

Could then reate a combined CONCACAF-CONMEBOL competition, for perhaps the 8 semifinalists...

Ah well we've been through this before. Anyway I'm not really into South American football at the moment, not sure why. Probably will end up watching some of the latter stages.

I remember Tim Vickery being asked about this, actually...I think his repsonse was some of the potential travel distances would make it unfeasible. The turn around of games come too soon.

In 2008(possibly '09) Fluminense reached the Libertadores final and were lucky not to be relegated in the Brasileirao the same year, surviving by just a point. Completely burnt out with the games(something like 14, two legged final), travel distances etc. It's a very gruelling competition.

rcoobc · 7th February 2012, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by bsc

I remember Tim Vickery being asked about this, actually...I think his repsonse was some of the potential travel distances would make it unfeasible. The turn around of games come too soon.

In 2008(possibly '09) Fluminense reached the Libertadores final and were lucky not to be relegated in the Brasileirao the same year, surviving by just a point. Completely burnt out with the games(something like 14, two legged final), travel distances etc. It's a very gruelling competition.

It is, but I don't see how adding American and Canada makes it any worse in the first place...

Well I obviously do, but Mexico are already in the competition. Remove them, and you have a less gruelling competition, and add those 5-6 games elsewhere.

bsc · 7th February 2012, 18:05

Quote:

Former kings set as group action begins

The 53rd edition of the Copa Libertadores takes centre stage in Latin America this week, with the start of the eagerly awaited group phase. Thirty-two sides, divided into eight pools of four, will be battling it out for continental glory and the chance to represent the region at the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2012. With five former champions – Internacional, Nacional of Uruguay, Olimpia, Vasco da Gama and Velez Sarsfield – in action, FIFA.com takes a look ahead.

Game of the week
Vasco da Gama (BRA) - Nacional (URU)
Group 5 - Wednesday 8 February, 22:00 (local time) - Estadio Sao Januario (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)

“On the way to Libertadores title number two” is how Vasco have been publicising ticket sales to their fans, who will be getting their first taste of the competition since 2001. O Gigante da Colina welcome Montevideo giants Nacional in what will be the only direct duel between former champions this week. Vasco won their sole Libertadores crown in 1998 while Juninho Pernambucano was enjoying his first spell at the club, and with the dead-ball specialist back playing for the Rio outfit once again, the fans have high hopes of another glorious campaign this time around.

After a memorable 2011 that included victory in the Copa do Brasil, runners-up spot in the Brasileirao and a run to the semis of the Copa Sudamericana, Cristovao Borges' side will be keen to maintain their unbeaten start to 2012 against Marcelo Gallardo’s men. Gallardo, for his part, has firsthand experience of winning at the Sao Januario, having prevailed in a Supercopa group game there in 1997 while playing for River Plate. He also picked up a Libertadores winner’s medal with Los Millonarios in 1996 and will be hoping former Inter Milan forward Alvaro Recoba can inspire his Nacional side to a similar feat this year.

Elsewhere
Among the nine other fixtures this week is a home tie for two-time champions Internacional, who will fancy their chances against Juan Aurich of Peru in Group 1 despite having had to negotiate the qualifying round. O Colorado will not be the only former champions in action either: Velez Sarsfield, bolstered by the arrival of Federico Insua and Mauro Obolo, are away to Uruguay’s ever-difficult Defensor Sporting in Group 7. Paraguayan giants Olimpia, meanwhile, winners of this tournament in 1979, 1990 and 2002, also face a tricky away assignment, in their case against Ecuador’s Emelec in Group 2.

Player to watch
Andres D’Alessandro (Internacional)
The gifted Argentinian midfielder, voted South American player of the Year in 2010, scored in the aggregate victory over Once Caldas in the qualifying round and has his sights set on a repeat of Inter’s Libertadores triumph of two years ago. Now, having reportedly turned down a lucrative offer to play in China PR, the No10 will be hoping to continue in the rich vein of form that has him vying for a recall to his national team.

Did you know?
Eight of the 20 teams that will be in action this week missed out on the 2011 edition: Arsenal, Defensor Sporting, Chivas, Vasco, Nacional of Paraguay, Juan Aurich, Olimpia and Cruz Azul.

What they said
Jorge Ormeno, Universidad Catolica midfielder: “We’re still smarting about our quarter-final exit in last year’s Libertadores. We have the team, which we’ve strengthened very well, and that’s why our goal is to match that feat this year, then go even further.”

This week's fixtures
Tuesday
Fluminense (BRA) - Arsenal (ARG)
Defensor Sporting (URU) - Velez Sarsfield (ARG)
Chivas (MEX) - Deportivo Quito (ECU)

Wednesday
Vasco da Gama (BRA) - Nacional (URU)
Libertad (PAR) - Alianza Lima (PER)
Nacional (PAR) - Cruz Azul (MEX)

Thursday
Internacional (BRA) - Juan Aurich (PER)
Emelec (ECU) - Olimpia (PAR)
Universidad Catolica (CHI) - Bolivar (BOL)
Union Espanola (CHI) - Junior (COL)

maniak · 7th February 2012, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow

Group 1 is the strongest.

bsc · 8th February 2012, 07:48

Results:

Defensor Sporting 0-3 Velez Sarsfield
Fluminense 1-0 Arsenal de Sarandi
Chivas Guadalajara 1-1 Deportivo Quito

Round-ups:

Copa Libertadores: Winning Start For Velez And Fluminense | southamericanfootball.co.uk
Copa Libertadores: Fred fires Fluminense past Arsenal de Sarandi as Velez Sarsfield go top of group seven - Goal.com
FIFA.com - Wins for Velez, nine-man Fluminense

Decent start last night, Vasco and Nacional should be a cracking game tonight

holdsteady · Yesterday, 01:02

Fun game going on between Fluminense and Boca Jrs. Will to go pens if it stays level over the next 20 minutes

Skorenzy · Yesterday, 01:19

Great move by Boca, what a pass by Riquelme. 1-1 in injury time

holdsteady · Yesterday, 01:19

Mental game.

How have Boca won that.

marcosdeto · Yesterday, 01:35

so boca again wins a game undeservedly

they are the south american liverpool

Maajid · Yesterday, 01:47

Awful game. Looking forward to the Santos-Velez game tomorrow, though - that should be fun to watch.

LoveInTheAsylum · Yesterday, 14:52

Had forgotten there was a thread for this. Good tip with Corinthians, they look huge favourites now.

I'm also looking forward to the games tonight as I couldn't watch any of last night's. Based only on the first leg (as I haven't seen any of their other games this season) I expect Santos to go out. I doubt they'll look quite so toothless again, but as they went chasing the game they looked incredibly vulnerable at the back. Should be a fun game.

holdsteady · Today, 00:15

God Neymar is such a little twat

Skorenzy · Today, 00:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by holdsteady

God Neymar is such a little twat

The guy marking him, Peruzzi, is almost as big a diver

This game has been crap and suddenly out of the blue Neymar gets the Vélez goalie sent off

... quite harsh too.

holdsteady · Today, 01:40

Set up for a wild 15 minutes here

holdsteady · Today, 01:45

1-1 on aggregate, what a goal. What a pass from Ganso and the one-two was a thing of beauty.

If I was Meeelan I'd spend 50m on him.

Skorenzy · Today, 01:58

Neymar on the other hand had one successful dribble almost resulting in a goal, but spent the rest of the night in Peruzzi's pocket...

Arruda · Today, 02:06

Penalties, love it, the drama, the individual failure, as opposed to the collective diluted guilt of losing a game in regular time

Skorenzy · Today, 02:09

What a pen by Cubero

MrMarcello · Today, 02:09

I've heard this Ganso is special and quite possibly the better talent than Neymar but the latter scores goals and has a rad haircut hence the more hype.

Skorenzy · Today, 02:12

The guy brought on specifically for pens (I think?) for Vélez skies one

Ekeke · Today, 02:16

Universedad de Chile next is it? Would be nice to get a proper look at Henriquez

6th February 2012, 05:45	#1 (permalink)
bsc First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Stretford End - 3103 Posts: 5,714	Copa Libertadores 2012 Week 1 fixtures: Tuesday Fluminense FC v Arsenal de Sarandí Defensor Sporting v Vélez Sarsfield Guadalajara v Deportivo Quito Wednesday Unión Española v Atlético Junior Vasco da Gama v Nacional(Uru) Nacional(Par) v Cruz Azul Thursday Internacional v Juan Aurich Emelec v Olimpia Universidad Católica v Bolívar Libertad v Alianza Lima

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6th February 2012, 05:57	#2 (permalink)
Snow First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: I like turtles Posts: 12,319	Group 1 is the strongest.

6th February 2012, 06:11	#3 (permalink)
Neutral BTV Join Date: May 2010 Location: DC/Canberra/Dhaka Posts: 6,447	Who are the frontrunners? Don't watch enough South American football - I'm missing out aren't I?

6th February 2012, 19:59	#5 (permalink)
Cold_Boy Banned Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: London,UK Posts: 17,368	Who is the strongest team in this competition?

6th February 2012, 23:18	#9 (permalink)
antohan First Team Sub Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Montevideo Posts: 5,919	Groups 5 and 8 are probably the most competitive, anyone could go through really.

7th February 2012, 02:33	#10 (permalink)
mariachi-19 First Team Regular Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I may be the devil, but i'm not a monster Posts: 12,597	Joga Bonito, Ronaldinho

7th February 2012, 05:10	#11 (permalink)
Neutral BTV Join Date: May 2010 Location: DC/Canberra/Dhaka Posts: 6,447	So the Brazilian clubs getting a lot of justified love....what about the Argentine giants, Boca? River Plate obviously not in it, with them being relegated last season....

7th February 2012, 05:18	#12 (permalink)
sajeev Reserve Team Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,396	not everyone getting "the strongest" jokes, i see

7th February 2012, 13:23	#15 (permalink)
davisjw Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 4,867	Vamos Junior! (Colombia)

7th February 2012, 13:29	#16 (permalink)
rcoobc Not as crap as eferyone thinks Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Corrupting West Brom Posts: 17,206	They need to get rid of the mexican teams in my opinion

7th February 2012, 13:48	#18 (permalink)
relx Frnkie Sys Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 4,154	Will Zamora score a late winner against Arsenal?

8th February 2012, 07:48	#24 (permalink)
bsc First Team Sub Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Stretford End - 3103 Posts: 5,714	Results: Defensor Sporting 0-3 Velez Sarsfield Fluminense 1-0 Arsenal de Sarandi Chivas Guadalajara 1-1 Deportivo Quito Round-ups: Copa Libertadores: Winning Start For Velez And Fluminense \| southamericanfootball.co.uk Copa Libertadores: Fred fires Fluminense past Arsenal de Sarandi as Velez Sarsfield go top of group seven - Goal.com FIFA.com - Wins for Velez, nine-man Fluminense Decent start last night, Vasco and Nacional should be a cracking game tonight

Yesterday, 01:02	#25 (permalink)
holdsteady Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4,405	Fun game going on between Fluminense and Boca Jrs. Will to go pens if it stays level over the next 20 minutes

Yesterday, 01:19	#26 (permalink)
Skorenzy Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 835	Great move by Boca, what a pass by Riquelme. 1-1 in injury time

Yesterday, 01:19	#27 (permalink)
holdsteady Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4,405	Mental game. How have Boca won that.

Yesterday, 01:35	#28 (permalink)
marcosdeto Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Buenos Aires - Argentina Posts: 42,355	so boca again wins a game undeservedly they are the south american liverpool

Yesterday, 01:47	#29 (permalink)
Maajid Formerly Mad Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 127.0.0.1 Posts: 5,310	Awful game. Looking forward to the Santos-Velez game tomorrow, though - that should be fun to watch.

Yesterday, 14:52	#30 (permalink)
LoveInTheAsylum Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: either way you look at it you have your fits, I have my fits, but feeling is good. Posts: 708	Had forgotten there was a thread for this. Good tip with Corinthians, they look huge favourites now. I'm also looking forward to the games tonight as I couldn't watch any of last night's. Based only on the first leg (as I haven't seen any of their other games this season) I expect Santos to go out. I doubt they'll look quite so toothless again, but as they went chasing the game they looked incredibly vulnerable at the back. Should be a fun game.

Today, 00:15	#31 (permalink)
holdsteady Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4,405	God Neymar is such a little twat

Today, 01:40	#33 (permalink)
holdsteady Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4,405	Set up for a wild 15 minutes here

Today, 01:45	#34 (permalink)
holdsteady Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 4,405	1-1 on aggregate, what a goal. What a pass from Ganso and the one-two was a thing of beauty. If I was Meeelan I'd spend 50m on him.

Today, 01:58	#35 (permalink)
Skorenzy Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 835	Neymar on the other hand had one successful dribble almost resulting in a goal, but spent the rest of the night in Peruzzi's pocket...

Today, 02:06	#36 (permalink)
Arruda Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Porto Posts: 3,099	Penalties, love it, the drama, the individual failure, as opposed to the collective diluted guilt of losing a game in regular time

Today, 02:09	#37 (permalink)
Skorenzy Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 835	What a pen by Cubero

Today, 02:09	#38 (permalink)
MrMarcello No Lifer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Georgia Posts: 31,943	I've heard this Ganso is special and quite possibly the better talent than Neymar but the latter scores goals and has a rad haircut hence the more hype.

Today, 02:12	#39 (permalink)
Skorenzy Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 835	The guy brought on specifically for pens (I think?) for Vélez skies one

Today, 02:16	#40 (permalink)
Ekeke First Team Regular Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 22,739	Universedad de Chile next is it? Would be nice to get a proper look at Henriquez