Copa Libertadores 2007
South America's Champions League Reaches the Semi-finals
In South America football is passion, so for showmanship, dazzling performances and unpredictable outcomes, look no further than the Semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores.
The group stages done and with many big names fallen, the 48th edition of the Copa Libertadores, South America’s answer to the Champions League is down to the final four teams. The Semi-final matches played over two legs will take place on May 30 and June 6 respectively. The Final will be battled out on June 13 and 20.
It has been a thrilling tournament to the present date beginning way back in January, with teams from Paraguay, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Venezuela making it through the group round. Tellingly, showing poor investment and growth there were no teams to make it through from Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
The Semi-finals
Gremio vs. Santos
This game is not without some controversy. Conmebol (South American Football Confederation) have paired the two Brazilian sides to prevent a final with two teams from the same country. It should in fact be Cucuta Deportivo of Colombia against Santos, but Conmebol has seen fit. Perhaps they have a point, in 2005 the finalists were Atletico Paranaense and Sao Paulo and in 2006 Internacional and Sao Paulo once again. Fans all over the continent would have been none too pleased to see a third consecutive final disputed between Brazilian teams.
Santos, famously Pele’s first club, come to the Semi-finals having qualified from the group round with a maximum 18 points, scoring 12 and conceding only once in the six games. They have however shown that they can leak goals and have 5 notched up against them in their last four Libertadores games.
Gremio of Porto Alegre despatched traditional powerhouse Sao Paulo and Defensor of Uruguay to reach the semi finals and will be feeling that luck is with them this time. Given that they are known by their fans as “the immortal” for seemingly turning the tide and winning as the underdog against all odds, the fans must surely be relishing this challenge against their big city rival to the north.
Cúcuta Deportivo vs. Boca Juniors
Quite easily the fairytale team, current Colombian champions Cucuta are appearing in the tournament for the first time in their history and have toppled some noteworthy foes from Necaxa of Mexico (famous in Europe and beloved by all Manchester City fans for defeating Manchester United in 2000’s World Club Championship) and three time tournament victors Nacional of Uruguay. Of course, the Colombians even with their lethal striker, the Panamanian Blas Perez, will need their wits about them given the sturdy opposition.
Boca Juniors need no introduction; the boys from Buenos Aires, led by Palacio, Palermo and Riquelme brushed aside Libertad of Paraguay in Asuncion after a shaky first leg in the Bombonera that resulted in a fortunate draw. Always effective in a Boca shirt, Martin Palermo spared their blushes in front of the home fans that day. Can Boca keep their discipline intact and progressive to win a sixth Libertadores title?
What will happen in the Finals?
