Copa Libertadores 2015

[Libertadores FC]

Yep I'm watching as well. Wondering why it didn't fill out.

 

[Megaclyde]

Atmosphere at La Bombonera is magical as usual.

Only lasting impression I have of La Bombonera (I'm assuming you're talking about Boca's stadium) was the high volume of dogshit on the streets around the stadium.

 

[Megaclyde]

Yep I'm watching as well. Wondering why it didn't fill out.

I dunno, I saw them once, the season they won the league, and even though it was against Inti Gas it was only about 40% full,
I got tickets in the area behind the dugouts, and no one really seemed to be bothered about the match, just turned up for the sake of it it seemed.

 

[Libertadores FC]

River totally in control. Juan Aurich have created fuck all

 

[Megaclyde]

What a surprise...

 

[Libertadores FC]

Match ended 1-1. Guess they can be satisfied because River are heads and shoulders over Aurich. They'll get destroyed in Argentina though.

Good week for the Peruvian teams overall.

 

[G-Dragon]

Watched Boca game on Wednesday for a short while, they were 2-0 up in 14 mins lol. Btw whats up with Nicolas Lodiero? He was supposed to be the next big thing couple of years ago. Didn't realize former Southampton player Osvaldo played for Boca too.

 

[lordofthepies]

Watched Boca game on Wednesday for a short while, they were 2-0 up in 14 mins lol. Btw whats up with Nicolas Lodiero? He was supposed to be the next big thing couple of years ago. Didn't realize former Southampton player Osvaldo played for Boca too.

I dunno why Corinthians didn't fancy Lodeiro but Boca spent a fair bit of money to sign him in pre-season. Osvaldo joined on loan a few weeks ago and has already been involved in a tabloid scandal but has just started scoring. I know that Zamora aren't much of an opposition but Boca looked pretty good.

 

[Libertadores FC]

I can't believe I forgot to update here

Can't believe Juan Aurich have drawn against River in Argentina. Crazy result. I claimed River to be one of the best in the World about a month ago, but they've been shit this season so far. I still have no doubt that they have some great talent like Alvarez Balanta but they just haven't seen it this season. I still expect them to go through along with Tigres but they'll have to get back into form.

What I believe will happen is Tigres will beat Juan Aurich in Peru and Riverplate will easily beat San Jose, With that I think they're through because I can't see Aurich get a result in Bolivia.

They were untouchable in the Copa Sudamericana. I'm not sure whats happened with them. Haven't been great in the league yet either.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Tigres and Boca have advanced to the knockouts however they will keep going at it to get the easiest possible opponent in the knockouts. I expect Corinthians to be the next team to advance. This Corinthians team looks unbeatable at the moment.

I'm disappointed with Zamora. I expected more from them.

 

[Megaclyde]

Thought i'd put this here cos it's hilarious, even though it's not Libertadores

 

[Libertadores FC]

Juan Aurich got a result in Bolivia yesterday. If River lose today, they may well be through because I can't see San Jose winning in Argentina.

As for Guarani winning yesterday, terrible result for Cristal meaning they MUST win their last 2 games.

 

[Megaclyde]

Colo Colo v Santa Fe atm,
Nothing much going on...

EDIT As i say that Santa Fe score

 

[Libertadores FC]

And they won 3-0. Brilliant result for them as it gives them a good chance to qualify.

Anyways as for Juan Aurich, I expected them to lose today but they can be proud of their performances in Libertadores. They were always expected to go out and have pushed above their weight. They shouldn't hang their heads in shame. Cristal and Alianza should because one was an absolute embarrassment, the other bottled a crucial game and threw away important leads.

Good try Juan Aurich. You've made Peru proud. Last years Libertadores was an absolute embarrassment for Peruvian football but this year was an improvement despite all the teams going out.

 

[Libertadores FC]

San Lorenzo play Corinthians today. Big game but I can't see anything but a win for Corinthians. They are at the moment in my opinion, the best team in South America.

Sao Paulo winning yesterday wasn't good for San Lorenzo. San Lorenzo simply must win if they want to go through but I can't see it happening.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Corinthians - San Lorenzo wasn't a bad match and if Corinthians can beat Sao Paulo (which I expect them to) and San Lorenzo beats Danubio, the defending champions go through. Both teams were class last night despite it being a 0-0. High level of football for South American standards.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Going to make my predictions for the knockouts.

Seeding

1. Boca
2. Corinthians
3. Tigres
4. Internacional
5. Racing
6. Santa Fe
7. Libertad
8. Cruzeiro
9. San Lorenzo
10. Montevideo Wanderers
11. Emelec
12. Guarani
13. Colo Colo
14. Universitario Sucre
15. Atletico Nacional
16. Riverplate

Should look like this.

Boca - River (confirmed)
Corinthians - Atletico Nacional
Tigres - Universitario Sucre
Internacional - Colo Colo
Racing - Guarani
Santa Fe - Emelec
Libertad - Montevideo Wanderers
Cruzeiro - San Lorenzo

Boca - River is confirmed. They played in Copa Sudamericana last year where River won and I can't predict the winner here. Boca has been class but they haven't face anyone decent in all fairness.

Corinthians vs Atletico Nacional is an awesome match but Atletico Nacional isn't what they were last year and I think Corinthians will win home and away.

Tigres - U. De Sucre should be an easy win to Tigres. Tigres have already played in high altitude in the group stages and that was against San Jose and won. I think Tigres will win this home and away.

Internacional - Colo Colo will be a close one. Internacional won against U. De Chile yesterday 4-0 away, but Colo-Colo in my opinion is better than U. De Chile and will give Internacional trouble. Tough one to predict, but I have to go with Colo Colo winning this one.

Racing and Guarani have already played in the group stage, with Racing winning 1 and Guarani winning the other. Both wins came from the home team. It seems there is always a repeat in Libertadores. I think Guarani will actually upset.

Santa Fe - Emelec is the most unpredictable tie of them all. Anything can happen and they are both good teams. Emelec to win for me.

Libertad should easily win against Montevideo Wanderers geting a draw away and win at home.

Cruzeiro and San Lorenzo meet again. San Lorenzo beat Cruzeiro last year in the quarter finals and I think the same will happen here especially after what I saw from San Lorenzo last night.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Watched the second half of Boca vs Palestino last midweek, breathtaking game. Palestino were a credit, absolutely bombing forward with 5 men in attack everytime. Missed some great chances, in fairness Boca picked them off on the counter, but it was a blistering game. Internacional were clinical against an out of sorts De Chile.

Mineros 2-0 Huracan at HT. Not sure what's going on there.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Yeah, I expected Huracan to have trouble but not a 2-0 at half time. Looks like U. De Sucre and Cruzeiro are going through.

Saw part of the Palestino game and they were good going forward. Unfortunately for them, Boca was too much. They ended the group with a perfect 18 and will face River.

 

[Libertadores FC]

3-0 now for Mineros. Game over, Huracan are out.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Didn't expect that to be honest. Saw Mineros in De Sucre last week and they were absolutely, awful.

 

[Libertadores FC]

I didn't either. I always thought Mineros was the best Venezuelan side in Libertadores, but not beat Huracan by 3 goals. Zamir Valoyes scored a nice goal.

Estudiantes and Nacional are through their group. I always liked Nacional. I must say 2014's Nacional side is possibly my favourite club side ever from a team I don't support. Its a completely different team now, and I thought they were alright but I was wrong about them it seems. Still a class side. Don't rate Estudiantes as highly as some others, but they're pretty good. Guido Carillo is great.

Lots of games tonight. Sao Paulo vs Corinthians being my main focus. I want San Lorenzo through, so come on Corinthians!

 

[Saddlerrad]

Tonight's games...

Emelec vs Universidad De Chile
Internacional RS vs The Strongest
Atletico Mineiro vs Colo Colo
Santa Fe vs Atlas
San Lorenzo vs Danubio
Sao Paulo vs Corinithians

For me...

Emelec 2-0 De Chile
Internacional RS 2-1 The Strongest
Atletico 1-1 Colo Colo
Santa Fe 1-0 Atlas
San Lorenzo 3-0 Danubio
Sao Paolo 1-1 Corinthians


I suspect Internacional vs Strongest will be game of the evening if it's goal and freedom of football your after. San Lorenzo should cruise home, Emelec will win comfortable. Santa Fe and Mineiro are tough games to call, as is Sao Paolo, you always fancy the home sides in these tournaments, especially if it's a relatively even playing field.

No home side will lose this evening, put it that way. (IMO)

 

[Libertadores FC]

Yeah great day for Libertadores. I agree with most of your predictions, but I think Corinthians will beat Sao Paulo.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Expecting a cracker from the Atletico Mineiro vs Colo Colo match. Should be better than the Internacional match which was seriously disappointing.

 

[Saddlerrad]

The Strongest really didn't go and attack which left Internacional in control, no space to counter, pretty regular 1-0. Emelec won 2-0. So my predictions weren't far off.


Atletico 1-0 Colo Colo
Santa Fe 2-0 Atlas

Just before half time In both.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Watching Atletico - Colo Colo. Colo Colo have been terrible so far. Been a great match.

 

[Libertadores FC]

The Strongest really didn't go and attack which left Internacional in control, no space to counter, pretty regular 1-0. Emelec won 2-0. So my predictions weren't far off.


Atletico 1-0 Colo Colo
Santa Fe 2-0 Atlas

Just before half time In both.

The Strongest had a few chances at the end but for the most part Internacional was in control. Valdivia was great in the first half.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Great first half between Mineiro and Colo-Colo. Second half was alright. It could have been much better. Mineiro failed a penalty but made up for it by scoring a great volley goal. Disappointed with Colo-Colo. With all the reinforcements they made, I expected more from them. Santa Fe also won their game 3-1 against Atlas and have topped the group with 12 points.

Sao Paulo derby next. Hopefully Corinthians win. Much rather San Lorenzo go through than Sao Paulo.

 

[Saddlerrad]

So final scores.

Emelec 2-0 De Chile
Internacional 1-0 Strongest
Santa Fe 3-1 Atlas
Atletico 2-0 Colo Colo
San Lorenzo 0-1 Danubio?!!!?!
Sao Paolo 2-0 Corinthians

So, as expected virtually all the home teams won. What on earth happened with Lorenzo? They were 1/8 to win the game with the Bookies pre kick-off, are they already through? I don't think they are as good this season, they lost 1-0 to Aldosivi in the league last weekend, newly promoted I believe.