Copa Libertadores 2013

IMHO Tite tried to do too much. He should rested some of those aforementioned players in the First Leg of the Paulista vs Santos on Sunday. Now Timao are my favorites to lose out on two competitions in one week

That did not hurt Newell's who played starters over the previous weekend as they pursue the Argentine league championship. Velez, like Boca rested their starters as they have renounced all chances at the league. While that tactic worked for Boca against Corinthians, it did not for Velez versus Newell's.

This has been a wretched injury filled season for Velez. The club put all their eggs in the Libertadores basket but that is now gone. Nothing remains of this season for Velez.

Time for the quarterfinal, first leg matches:
Wednesday
Real Garcilaso-Santa Fe
Fluminense-Olimpia

Thursday
Boca-Newell's
Tijuana-Atletico Mineiro

Return legs next week, then the tourney will take a break until after June's World Cup qualifiers and the Confederations Cup.

Santa Fe looking to end Real Garcilaso's cindarella tale, Santa Fe are 2-0 in front after a half hour in Peru. The altitude of Cuzco will not effect the team from Bogota.

Wednesday's results
Real Garcilaso 1-3 Santa Fe
Fluminense 0-0 Olimpia

As autogol noted, Santa Fe were not bothered by the altitude and they went right a Real Garcilaso and took advantage of the Peruvian club's nerves and mistakes. Francisco Meza, Wilder Medina and Jefferson Cuero with the Santa Fe goals. Real Garcilaso missed a penalty but did at least get a consolation goal. Not rocket science to figure Santa Fe have more than a foot in the semifinals.

Olimpia went to Rio, defended well and held Fluminense to a 0-0 tie. Good result for Olimpia yet Flu still are in decent shape, a tie with goals scored would put them into the semis. But with Deco still out while awaiting a ruling on his positive test for a banned stimulant (he claims he mistakenly ingested it in a supplement) Fluminense just are not creating enough scoring chances.

Thursday's results
Boca 0-0 Newell's
Tijuana 2-2 Atletico Mineiro

Important draws away from home by Newell's and Atletico Mineiro, especially for Atletico who were struggling in the 1st half on Tijuana's artificial turf field. Good work by Tijuana who went up 2-0 through goals by Riasco and Martinez. But that 2nd goal woke Atletico MG up and they went on the attack, off a corner by Ronaldinho, the ball was deflected and Diego Tardelli, for me the most dangerus player on the field, volleyed it in. Then in injury time Tardelli with a good run and passed it to Luan who got by a Tijuana defender who had trouble with the bounce of the ball on the plastic pitch. Luan converted to give Atletico Mineiro a tie. Tough way for Tijuana and they will have it difficult in Brazil as after having initial troble on the field, Atletico began to impose themselves well and show why they are among the tournament favorites.

In the other game, a half for each team but overall a satisfactory result for Newell's who come away from La Bomobonera at 0-0. But never count Boca out.

Man Tijuana blew that last night. 2-0 in front at home with an opponent struggling on your artificial surface. I thought the Xolos became a little too defensive at that time. Plus also give credit to Atletico Mineiro who did pick up their play when 0-2 behind. As autogol commented, Diego Tardelli in particular, was really hard to stop. Also some credit to Cristian Pellerano, the Argentine defensive midfielder for Tijuana who played a great game in reducing Ronaldinho's effectiveness on the game.

Lots of trouble with the turf at La Bombonera last night, too, as Boca and Newell's played in just enough rain to make the grass slick. Lots of players lost there footing during the match.

I'm happy enough with the draw away. Scocco of Newell's had the best chance at scoring, but Orion put in a huge save.

Hopefully the 2nd leg will be played on a field that's more conductive to good futbol.

Diego Tardelli? Man that is Blast from the past. I remember when he was coming up from Sao Paulo & his time @ Betis. Good to see the kid still making it.

My thoughts too dafyd. Overall not bad from Newell's. To be honest I thought Boca, playing at home, were almost in fear of Newell's last night and showed them a lot of respect. But Boca are not the best of teams at home this year, away however they are better so this series is definitely not defined but I like Newell's chances.

Tijuana had Atletico Mineiro on the ropes but let them off. That likely will be a fatal mistake. I have to admit when Atletico go forward, they are very hard to stop.

The nearly month long break for the eliminatorias and Confederations Cup will throw off some teams momentum but right now I would say Atletico Mineiro, Olimpia, Santa Fe and Newell's are the three clubs playing the best in this Libertadores and each likely will make the semifinals. The issue is in what condition will they be in after the break?