Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Ronaldinho looks to add the Copa to his collection

Olimpia host Atletico Mineiro in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final 

Tio Pelotas gives his take on the South American showpiece



The Copa Libertadores final kicks off its first leg tonight in Paraguay where three-time champions Olimpia will host Ronaldinho and Atletico Mineiro, a side founded 105 years ago with no international titles (unless you count their two Conmebol Cups, a defunct competition).

Both teams took similar routes to the final, have highly-touted offensive weapons and dispatched opponents with dynamic and technical attacks.

Atletico Mineiro and Olimpia scored 27 and 23 goals, respectively, in the competition so far. The games will be interesting if both continue with their assaults on goal. Between them, they boast seven players with four goals or more in 12 matches.

However, the Paraguayans and its history with the competition have the psychological advantage. They've reached the final on seven occasions now, participated 38 times in the competition and lifted the trophy three times. The Brazilians have only partaken in Libertadores six times. But this is football. Psychology or not, the better team will take home South America's coveted trophy.

And there there's Ronaldinho. He's reborn and is looking to add to his World Cup 2002, two Spanish league, Serie A and Champions League medals. Even if his side take home the trophy, will we see him add to his 97 caps with the national team after 'Big' Phil Scolari all but said 'dinho was not in his plans for next year's World Cup?


4 comments:

  1. First leg tonight - Asuncion, Paraguay, 8:30 pm ET, Fox Deportes.

    Second leg, July 24.

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  2. Ronaldinho gets subbed out with about a half hour left and his side down 1-0. He does not look happy.

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  3. Wilson Pittoni scores on a beauty of a free kick on the last play of the match to give the Paraguayans a 2-0 first-leg win.

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  4. oh wow. why Dhino come out? Was he not hustling again? SMH?

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