The Palmeiras and the At. Mineiro ruled out the first leg of the Libertadores semifinals and they decided to risk it all, next Tuesday at the Mineirao stadium. The 0-0 was the logical and predictable result for a failed clash, in which the fear of losing prevailed.
PAL
CAM
Palmeiras
Weverton, Marcos Rocha, Luan, Gustavo Gómez, Piquerez, Felipe Melo (Danilo, 68 ‘), Ze Rafael (Patrick de Paula, 85’), Raphael Veiga, Dudu (Wesley, 64 ‘), Rony (Gabriel Veron, 85’ ) and Luiz Adriano (Deyverson, 64 ‘).
At. Mineiro
Everson, Mariano, Nathan Silva, Junior Alonso, Arana, Allan, Jair, Zaracho (Vargas, 74 ‘), Nacho Fernández (Nathan, 86’), Hulk (Sasha, 86 ‘) and Diego Costa (Keno, 54’).
Referee
Patricio Loustau (Argentina). TA Ze Rafael (80 ‘) / Zaracho (22’).
Incidents
Game played behind closed doors at Allianz Parque (Sao Paulo).
It was a disappointing match between two of the most expensive squads on the continent. El Verdao, current champion, pulled experience and pragmatism to neutralize the duo Hulk-Diego Costa, while the Gaul, led by Cuca, he played cowering, conveying the feeling that he could have done much more.
Given the significance of the clash, the two protagonists reduced the risks and raised a minimum game, in which wear prevailed ahead of creation. The first half was nervous and imprecise in which little was generated. There were no clear opportunities in a constant struggle, with two teams well protected defensively, who gave up on pressing up.
Everything, however, could have been blown up on the edge of halftime (min. 40) when Gustavo Gomez committed a book penalty on a Diego Costa so far well tied up. Hulk served it with a left foot, which exploded at the base of the left post of the goal Weverton. The most decisive player of the Galo lost a golden opportunity at the key moment of the season. The real consequences of the failure will not be revealed until the return.
The At. Mineiro received a new setback when, in minute 54, Diego Costa suffered a pulled muscle in the back of his left thigh. The ex of the Atleti not only had to retire, but it will hardly be able to be in the return party of the next week.
The clash continued along the same paths, without lucidity and with muscle as the main argument. The At. Mineiro had more possession, but he lacked the necessary conviction to go for victory and Palmeiras lived comfortable in a reactive approach, which allowed him to exploit the speed of his points in a counter. The minutes fell and no one moved the tree with enough determination. The game withered without any clear scoring opportunity, something that would have to make the two protagonists blush.
The Mineirao, then, will dictate sentence next week in a new tactical duel between Abel ferreira and Cuca, the two coaches from the last final of the Libertadores. Meanwhile, this next night, Flamengo and Barcelona de Guayaquil meet at the Maracaná to play the first match of the other semifinal.