The global audience that accompanied South American club football’s showpiece occasion appeared divided by what it had seen. Fluminense of Brazil beat Argentina’s Boca Juniors 2-1 in Rio’s Maracana stadium to win the Copa Libertadores. Those who expected a game of quality seemed disappointed. But those who had tuned in for drama were gripped by a dramatic, sometimes chaotic encounter that ebbed and flowed over 120 minutes. And the tears that flowed on the pitch and in the stands before, during and after the match gave the occasion a level of intensity that some compared favourably with the corporate sterility of Europe’s Champions League decider.
And the destiny of the Libertadores was decided by two fine goals, both of which bore the stamp of Fernando Diniz, Fluminense’s fascinating coach. The first was a succinct statement of his team’s unorthodox attacking approach. Diniz frequently looks to create overloads by moving almost the entire team to one flank. The two wingers, Jhon Arias and Keno combined down the right and Keno pulled back for Argentine striker German Cano to move intelligently into space and score with a typically efficient onetouch finish. A 35-year-old who has scored goals all across Latin America without previously attracting much attention, Cano has now become a star.
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye World Soccer dergisinin December 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team