Atlético-MG returns to the Libertadores final after 11 years. The 2013 champion team withstood the pressure from River Plate and the fans, securing their spot in the final with a 0-0 draw at the Monumental in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, matching the feat from the game in Belo Horizonte, which ended with a 3-0 victory. The team awaits the winner between Peñarol and Botafogo, whose clash takes place on Wednesday at the Centenario in Montevideo, where the Rio de Janeiro team won 5-0 in the first leg.
Phase 1: Discomforts and Threats Before the Match
The Atlético-MG delegation faced problems during the bus ride to the stadium before the match. The president of the Minas Gerais club, Sérgio Coelho, even threatened not to go to the stadium, as local police reportedly informed that they would not guarantee the players' safety. The match, scheduled to start at 9:30 PM, was delayed to 9:45 PM.
On the field, despite the thrashing in the initial match, the pressure continued with the enthusiasm of River fans. With a solid defense, River spent almost all the time in the offensive field and tried to send the ball into Atlético's area as much as possible.
Six minutes later, Solari almost opened the scoring. At the ten-minute mark, Araújo prevented Borja from defining the game. At thirteen minutes, the former Palmeiras player scored a header, but it was deflected.
Atlético-MG began to adjust and attempt counterattacks, but Hulk and Deyverson were heavily pressed by the Argentine team.
River Plate was unable to launch the ball into the penalty area and also started to take risks from afar. At twenty-one minutes, Collidio tried but failed. At twenty-three, it was Mesa's turn, and the midfielder threatened Everson's goal. Simon, 26, left his mark on Atlético's defense. It was only given to the river. Pezzella, 27, headed it wide after a corner kick.
After thirty minutes, Atlético-MG began to spend more time with the ball possession up front but failed to score against Armani. Until thirty-six minutes, Deyverson appeared in front of the Argentine goalkeeper, tried to dribble, and was dispossessed.
At the end of the first half, River had 15 shots, but only two were on target against Everton. In corner kicks, the Argentine team also led with 8, compared to just 1 for the Brazilian team.
Phase 2: Start of the Second Half and Tactical Changes
Atlético-MG started the second half impressively. In the first minute, Scapa hit the post, Deyverson rebounded and called for a spectacular save from Armani, Paulinho almost completed the shot.
River did not seem to have the same pressure as in the first half. In the sixth minute, Atlético-MG's Paulinho entered danger again. Coach Marcelo Gallardo decided to make changes in River. Forward Everton, who came on for number 11, almost opened the scoring at fifteen. Everton saved. At nineteen, Everton shot again, but Junior Alonso defended and Everton was beaten.
With the urgent need for three goals to force penalties, River attacked with everything. Everton performed well and made two beautiful saves.
Gabriel Milito decided to close the defense, substituting Deyverson and Paulinho for Rubens and Otavio. But at twenty-eight minutes, he almost scored the first goal of the game. Armani saved Rubens.
In the final minutes, River was disorganized, searching for the goal, while Atlético-MG seemed confident at the end of the game.
Technical Table
River 0 X 0 ATLÉTICO-MG
River - Franco Armani; Fabrizio Bustos, Germán Pezella, Paulo Díaz and Marcos Acuña; Santiago Simon (Éver Banega), Kranevitter (Villagra), Pablo Solari (Mastrángelo), Meza and Facundo Collidio (Pity Martínez); Miguel Borja (Barrero). Coach: Marcelo Gallardo.
ATLÉTICO-MG - Everton; Lyanco (Saraiva), Battaglia and Junior Alonso; Gustavo Scapa (Gustavo Scarpa), Fausto Vera (Fausto Vera), Alan Franco (Alan Franco) and Guilherme Arana (Guilherme Arana) (Vargas); Hulk, Deyverson (Rubens) and Paulinho (Otavio). Coach: Gabriel Milito.
Yellow Cards - Leandro and Everton.
Referee and audience - Unavailable.
Referee - Wilmar Roldan (COL).
Location - Estadio Monumental de Nuñez, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
