Copa Libertadores, update from last night’s matches…

By: Mauro | March 26th, 2008

San Lorenzo vs. Bamin Real Potosi (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Last night, San Lorenzo hosted Bamin Real Potosi and won on a dodgy penalty call. In my opinion, there was contact on the foul, but it’s negligible as to whether or not it gets a call from the ref and in the end it’s what he’s paid to do. With that said, Potosi fought with all they had and played a decent match knowing that another defeat would mean goodbye to their continuing in the Libertadores. The San Lorenzo faithful did reward the visitors with a hearty applause to match their performance. San Lorenzo was poor on the pitch and if they hadn’t got that penalty they’d be in bigger trouble than they are right now. I expected San Lorenzo to snap out of their lull last night and predicted a 3-1 win for the local team, they only got a 1-0 win.

UA Maracaibo vs. Atlas (Maracaibo, Venezuela)

UA Maracaibo hosted Atlas in last night’s 2nd match. The teams exchanged penalties in this match. A handball in the penalty area was what did it for UA Maracaibo. Ex-Boca, Bruno Marioni, exchanged the call for a goal. Atlas 1-0. Maracaibo sought out the tying goal, and found it when Jorge Rojas was brought down in the penalty area when two Atlas defenders attempted a Rojas sandwich. Dario Figueroa, another Argentine, scored the penalty for Maracaibo. 1 point a piece. I expected Atlas to step up, but like I keep saying, it’s really tough to win on the road. I had it 2-0, Atlas failed me. Maracaibo is all but eliminated. They could earn a maximum of 8 points and that might not be enough to get them through, not only because they’d need 2 wins, but a major debacle on the part of everyone else in their group. Atlas face Boca at home and then Colo Colo away in what might be one of the longer commutes in this competition.

Coronel Bolognesi vs. Cienciano (Tacna, Peru)

These two Peruvian teams did not do each other any favors in this match. Bolognesi needed a win in order to continue competing in the group and any points Cienciano could get would be gravy since this match rounded out the group with 4 matches a piece. Cienciano, are in first place in their group, have their fate in their hands, they play the other two contenders in this group, at home vs. Flamengo, away vs. Nacional in their next two matches. Points there would be huge into getting them into the next round.

Tonight’s matches:
LDU Quito vs. Arsenal de Sarandi (Quito, Ecuador) on FSE @ 3pm
River Plate vs. U. Catolica (Buenos Aires, Argentina) on FSE @ 5pm
U. San Martin vs. CF America (Lima, Peru) on FSE @ 8pm