With the semifinals now set for late October, there is a chance to stop the ball and analyze everything that the Libertadores quarterfinals left for us.
Boca Juniors (ARG) 3-1 Cruzeiro (BRA)
This series pretty much epitomizes the Libertadores. An Argentina team against a Brazilian one. Plenty of trash talk, hard blows, red cards, VAR controversies and last minute goals.
The 1st leg saw Boca win 2-0 but at a costly price. Starting goalkeeper Esteban Andrade fractured his jaw after a crushing blow against Dede.
ANDRADA AFUERA!!! 🔥🔥
Por este durísimo choque con Dedé, el arquero sufrió la fractura de mandíbula, mañana será operado y se perderá 2 meses. En caso de ir a buscar un arquero deberá ser del fútbol argentino y no haber jugado en esta edición de la copa Libertadores pic.twitter.com/LXLlEGn0Cb
— Un toque más (@1toquemas) September 20, 2018
After VAR review, Dede was sent off for unnecessary use of force. Andrade stayed on and played through a broken jaw, but ultimately required surgery and he’ll be out for the rest of the Libertadores.
The rest of the first leg was equally impressive, with the most heart-stopping moment being Barrios goal line clearance.
How I gotta protect my girls dms ….#wilmarbarrios 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/XsW05oBzJo
— Anthony Rodriguez (@saint_papii) September 20, 2018
With a secure 2-0 lead, and the comfort of not conceding any away goals, Boca headed to Belo Horizonte for what perhaps was the defining game of their season after losing the Superclasico against River Plate and being knocked out of the Copa Argentina by Gimnasia LP.
Cruzeiro made sure to heat up the match all they could. First, they launched a whole circus against the CONMEBOL to get Dedé’s red card revoked (which worked). Cruzeiro’s captain Egidio went on air claiming they would score 4 goals on Boca. Mano Menezes (manager) guaranteed a win and the most bizarre event was “journalist” Rodrigo Genta stomping on a Boca jersey on his show.
The 2nd leg began and tensions were already extremely high on the boiling hot at the Mineirao. After a slow first half were Boca defended impeccably, Cruzeiro managed to score a goal after a corner. As the game went on, Boca continued to provide a masterclass on how to shut down an opposition’s attack, and in stoppage time, Pavón scored the goal that would seal Boca’s victory.
Palmeiras (BRA) 4-0 Colo-Colo (CHI)
Uneventful. Palmeiras made easy work of heavy underdogs Colo-Colo and made it through to the semis without any complications. After defeating Colo-Colo 2-0 in the first leg, the series was considered already over there.
The only justification for Colo-Colo even reaching the quarterfinals lied in goalkeeper Agustin Orion, who has plenty of Libertadores experience or guys like Jorge Valdivia and Esteban Paredes, but is was not nearly enough to get past giant Palmeiras.
In the end, and against my prediction, there was no shocking upset in this series and one of the favorites to win the Libertadores moves on.
P.S: Dudu scored one of the finest goals I have witnessed in this Libertadores
GOLAÇO DE DUDU!
What a wizard the Brazil international is. Palmeiras ARE going to the Libertadores semi final. pic.twitter.com/4vEWu0tYOd
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) October 4, 2018
River Plate (ARG) 3-1 Independiente (ARG)
This matchup did not disappoint, as the second leg was filled with attacking football and a tactical masterclass by Marcelo Gallardo. Gallardo handed Holan a big fat L in the managerial matchup, as River was much better than Independiente most of the game.
The first leg was a goalkeeper wonderland, where Armani and Campaña were the figures of their respective teams. Now the second leg was a much different affair, as Campaña conceded 3 goals and Armani was to blame in Independiente’s transitory tie.
#CopaLibertadores Error de Armani y gol de Romero para empatar el partido. pic.twitter.com/tcZ36JSx2j
— ElCanciller.com (@elcancillercom) October 2, 2018
The game also featured controversy in the form of a suspect foul by Javier Pinola in the box that some consider should have resulted in him being sent off and a penalty given to Independiente. The play leaves a lot to interpretation in my opinion, so you be the judge.
Polémica en #ElMonumental!
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Era penal para #Independiente y roja directa para Javier #Pinola?
.#CopaLibertadores pic.twitter.com/b5M7BgzTI8— Cuarto Cambio (@Cuarto_CambioOk) October 2, 2018
Gremio (BRA) 6-0 Atletico Tucuman (ARG)
Boy what an a**-kicking by Gremio. Atletico Tucuman stood absolutely no chance against the reigning champions and were completely annihilated on every front.
Gremio is clearly the team to beat in this Libertadores. They have the best couple of centrebacks in Latinamerica with Geromel and Walter Kannemann. They feature a ton of attacking talent upfront, and also have the experience and moxy required to win the Libertadores.
The Achilles heel for Gremio might be injuries as goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe and forward Everton are in doubt for the first leg against River Plate in a couple of weeks.
Without Grohe, Gremio suddenly becomes beatable, his game-changing saves make him one of the best in all America. I mean, just look at this one.
Marcelo Grohe did this in a Libertadores semi final and from such close range.
Don't tell me this nonsense about the shot being too strong for Mignolet to save. No excuse as to why his hand was transparent allowing a shot so far away to get past him. pic.twitter.com/fEh0MD4qmL
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) December 22, 2017
Hit me up on Twitter or Instagram for any further debate!
Twitter: @casiopersources