Copa Sudamericana 2015

[Libertadores FC]

With the Libertadores final second leg today, the Sudamericana is starting.

South

Juventud vs Real Potosi
Olimpia vs Huachipato
Santiago Wanderers vs Libertad
Aurora vs Sportivo Luqueno
Universidad Catolica vs Danubio
Oriente Petrolero vs Nacional
Defensor Sporting vs Bolivar
Nacional Asuncion vs Universidad Concepcion

North

Carabobo vs Deportes Tolima
Universidad Catolica (Ecuador) vs Deportivo La Guaira
Leon de Huanuco vs Emelec
Junior vs Melgar
Universitario vs Anzoategui
Zamora vs Liga De Quito
Aguilas Doradas vs Union Comercio
Liga de Loja vs Santa Fe

Second Phase

Brazil

Brasilia vs Goias
Ponte Preta vs Chapecoense
Bahia vs Sport Recife
Joinville vs Atletico Paranaense

Argentina

Tigre vs Huracan
Arsenal vs Independiente
Belgrano vs Lanus

Qualified for Round of 16

Riverplate

Looking forward to this. Hopefully it makes up for the seriously disappointing Libertadores this year.

Riverplate are the obvious favourites as they made the final of Libertadores and have won Sudamericana last year. They are the defending champions.

I don't like the Brazilian qualification rules. How could a second tier side and I believe even a third tier side qualify. Embarrassing. Bahia could be competitive at least but I can't see Brasilia doing much.

From the South, the strongest teams are the Paraguayan side. Olimpia reached the Libertadores final 2 years ago, and Nacional Asuncion reached the final last year. I can expect them to put up a really good fight. Its also not easy playing in Paraguay due to difficult conditions like heat. Don't know how it is in Asuncion being winter, but still.

As for the north, the strongest teams are the Colombian sides in my opinion but my concern with them are predictable tactics as all they really do is go up the wing and cross it in. I've always seen them as teams who can compete but don't because of this. Haven't seen Colombian football in a while so I could be mistaken and a Colombian team reached the final last year (although to be fair, Atletico Nacional was absolute class last year). Emelec in this again, probably the strongest side in the north and I fully expect them to reach the round of 16.

Now time for my opinion on the Peruvian sides.

Leon De Huanuco is going to get thrashed home and away. Emelec is a Libertadores quarter finalist and Leon de Huanuco is bottom in Peru at the moment. I will be very, very shocked if Leon can win. Union Comercio has gotten better, but Aguilas Doradas are better in my opinion. Melgar vs Junior is a very unpredictable tie. Melgar won't have Ruidiaz at this point I believe, and Ascues has left for Wolfsburg but I still think they'll put up a fight. Junior is from Barranquilla so they don't play in altitude. Even if they did, Peru's altitude is much more extreme than Colombia's. Lastly, my club Universitario got the easiest draw possible, but we're playing THAT bad right now that I can see Anzoategui getting a comfortable home and away win. Hope I'm wrong, as I said Ruidiaz I believe comes back at this point so hopefully he can have a good start to the club.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Nice write up, when are these ties going to be played?

 

[Libertadores FC]

Nice write up, when are these ties going to be played?

The North and South ties are played between 11-20 of august. As for the Brazil and Argentina ties that is between 18th of August to 18th of September (I don't know why it will take that long to be honest)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Copa_Sudamericana

 

[Libertadores FC]

I know why its being played so late. I forgot for a second that they are in the second qualifying round.

 

[voltage]

This year's brazilian method of classification also doesn't please me. The brazilian teams' competitions calendary was really very demanding (and somehow still is) but CBF could've find a better solution. And it's being very "discussed" how this adopted method of classification can be used as an strategy to the "biggest" brazilian teams who didn't reach Libertadores 2015 to choose if they want to dispute Sudamericana or Copa do Brasil and this undervalues the brazilian clubs at one or other competition depending on what happens, in case of Sudamericana it weakened the brazilian side a lot since it seems like none of the big ones that didn't dispute Libertadores this year are wanting to risk on international competitions right now (because of the Libertadores 2016 place that comes with the title of both competitions and theoretically it's easier to achieve it with Copa do Brasil than Sudamericana).

 

[Libertadores FC]

Watching Universidad Catolica (Ecuador) vs Deportivo La Guaira. Just turned it on and its 1-0 to Catolica.

As for our match, Ruidiaz won't be starting because I believe he isn't cup tied. Its understandable and I will be fine as long as German Alemanno doesn't start. As bad as we are, I won't accept anything other than a win because we didn't put reserves to lose this match. I know that sounds obvious, but we put our relegation race in risk in order to prepare for this match against a very winnable opponent against Loreto. Thankfully we beat Loreto but still.

The real Universidad Catolica is playing as well. Against Danubio and its 0-0 at half time.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Just got back. Great win for Universitario, I'm surprised at how easy it was. The second goal was just amazing. I'll write more about it tomorrow.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Finally got some internet to post about the match. I'm delighted with the win. The second goal was fantastic, the best goal I've witnessed live. Buzzing after that result.

Firstly, while Fernandez has declined, he had a great game yesterday. He saved us from conceding the first goal of the match after Anzoategui began with the attacks. Our first goal was good, header by our new signing Gimenez. He looked really good today, and I hope he can keep those performances to change my mind about the foreign signings. Second goal was just incredible. Great team play and great strike from Angel Romero to make it 2-0. Third goal was scored by German Alemanno, which surprised me but it shows what a great match is was when even Alemanno scored. The match yesterday had a bit of everything really/

I think we can win the tie. Not ideal to concede the away goal but I'm pretty sure we can score in Venezuela.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Melgar 4-0 down to Junior

What a joke. Embarrassing the whole country, but what could I have expected with the pathetic lineup Reynoso sent out. Think he's done. They threw away the league last weekend and are getting humiliated right now.

The Colombian league is superior to the Peruvian league, but Melgar shouldn't be getting embarrassed the way they currently are. If it was Union Comercio, I'd probably understand but Melgar!???

That's one Peruvian side out, unless they miraculously score at least 2 in the second half and don't concede any more goals. At this point they probably just want the match to end.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Melgar lost 5-0 to Junior last night. That's them out now.

The Bolivian sides have been a joke so far. 3 against Uruguayan sides and they all got battered. Oriente Petrolero lost 3-0 at home to Nacional which isn't too shocking seeing as there isn't that much altitude in Santa Cruz. Defensor battering Bolivar in Uruguay 3-0. Don't see a comeback for the Bolivians. I think that showed that Azkargorta is the only reason they did well in Libertadores last year. Juventud beat Real Potosi 4-1 in Uruguay. The away goal could prove important but I don't think they will be able to comeback. Lastly, Luqeno beat Aurora in Bolivia 2-1. No comeback for them either.

As for other results, Zamora 1-1 against Liga De Quito in Venezuela and Leon de Huanuco lost at home to Emelec 3-1. Normal result. Nacional Asuncion came back to beat Concepcion 2-1 at home.

Aguilas Doradas 0-0 with Union Comercio right now at half time.

Anyways if Universitario win the tie, it looks like we'll get Defensor Sporting. I thought they wouldn't be very good after selling Gedoz and De Arrascaeta but it seems they're still a good side and I don't know if we can win even at our best. Hopefully we do beat them though.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Well, at least Union Comercio tried. 2-0 win for Aguilas Doradas.

 

[Libertadores FC]

We're playing the away leg today. Hopefully the away goal doesn't cost us. Anziategui were terrible in Lima but it could be a different story in Venezuela.

 

[voltage]

Melgar was impressive. After losing of 5x0 to Junior Barranquilla they could pull a win of 4x0 on the return game. Though Melgar were elminated, it was still a very nice uprise from them.

 

[Libertadores FC]

A potential quarter final

Olimpia vs Emelec or Olimpia vs Santa Fe.

It all depends if Olimpia can get past the Argies which I think they can. Olimpia will absolutely walk their tie in the second round against Union Comercio or Aguilas Doradas.

The reason I post this is because it will be a pretty awesome tie if it does happen. After tonights matches I'll do my knockout predictions.

If I had to take a guess though, the winner of that tie if it does happen, will reach the final.

 

[Libertadores FC]

After looking at more potential matches, River have a really tough road to the final. Their worst case scenario would be

Liga De Quito
Libertad
Goias

 

[Libertadores FC]

1-0 for us so far. This Venezuelan team are awful.

 

[Libertadores FC]

3-1 away win against Anzoategui. As I said, they are awful. They were better than us for most of the game and could only score 1 goal. Last 20 minutes we were in control. Edison Flores was unplayable today. Made good passes, was unpredictable and showed a lot of flair. Ruidiaz had a good debut for the club getting a goal and I believe he got the assist. Hopefully he does as well as he did in 2013 for us after returning to the club. Alemanno surprisingly had a good game. He made a good pass that lead to the second goal and he scored the third. Lastly, Raul Fernandez saved a lot of Anzoategui's shots. Guttierez also deserves a shout.

We get Defensor Sporting next.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Brasilia beat Goias.. huge upset that is.

 

[voltage]

Honestly, I thought Goiás would easily beat Brasília since they're coming of great performances on past games at brazilian championship and Brasília is not even competing on none of the four divisions championships of Brazil and only started officially training two months ago. The results were really a big surprise.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Raining in Uruguay. Gonna be a seriously difficult game.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Lost 3-0. Pissed off. I'm not in the mood to write about the match right now.

 

[Saddlerrad]

The Ref has lost the plot in the game between Nacional and Santa Fe. Home side down to 9, the away side down to 10 and 5 yellow cards...it's only just half time.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Wasn't watching it but I saw the red cards. Has a fight broken out because there was a red card for both sides in the 42nd minute?

 

[Libertadores FC]

Santa Fe won 2-0, the tie is over. I can't see Nacional coming back from it.

Catolica 2-0 up. I definitely expected them to do well early on, but if it ends 2-0 at the end, it will be a bit of a surprise to me seeing as I rate Libertad more.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Return leg for Universitario - Defensor tomorrow. We're out already and the way we are playing in the league, we won't even beat them at home. Not to mention there is a lot going on in the club with manager movement and debt issues.

I'm really don't think I should watch this match. I have a feeling it will get ugly.

 

[Libertadores FC]

We lost 1-0, and honestly I'm glad I decided not to watch it.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Here are the matches for the round of 16

Independiente - Olimpia
Emelec - Santa Fe
Sport Recife - Huracan
Lanus - Defensor
Atletico Paranaense - Brasilia
Deportes Tolima - Sportivo Luqueno
Libertad - Chapecoense
Riverplate - LDU Quito

Some good matches in there. I think Olimpia will beat Independiente, if Olimpia don't fuck up at home like they did against Aguilas Doradas. Emelec vs Santa Fe is a tough one, but I think Emelec are a better team. Sport Recife vs Huracan is a really unpredictable one. I think Huracan are a better team than Recife, but with Huracan, you honestly never know. They could beat or lose to anyone in South American competitions. I think Lanus will beat Defensor. It will be a close match, and I would not be surprised if Defensor one, but I think Lanus will take this one. Paranaense will beat Brasilia with ease, and I hope they do because even though I love underdogs, more and more magic will be taken out of this competition if a team not even in the first 4 divisions of their country does well. Deportes Tolima isn't bad, but the Paraguayans are better than the Colombians in terms of tactics, and mentality and I think Luqueno will come out of a win here. Libertad will win against Chapecoense, doubt it will be easy but I think they'll do it. Lastly, I think LDU Quito will shock River. River have been nothing short of shite lately and playing in the altitude will come to their disadvantage. The only thing I can say is that now that River's title race is basically, they'll probably want to focus on this.

As for last nights matches, I originally predicted Tolima to win the tie but after Junior won 1-0 away from home, I thought it was over there but it seems my original prediction came true and Tolima won. Lanus battered Belgrano as I expected, and I found it surprising Emelec struggled against Juventud de las Piedras. They won on penalties but I expect Emelec to win by a huge scoreline on aggregate. Lastly, Libertad weren't really in any danger after beating Catolica in Chile.

 

[Libertadores FC]

2 matches today. Luqueno vs Tolima and Santa Fe vs Emelec

Luqueno vs Tolima is a tough one, I think the 1-1 draw in Colombia a week ago will really help Luqueno progress here. Tolima have what it takes to win the tie, but I reckon Luqueno will win.

As for the other match, Santa Fe have been a very good team in the last few years, but so have Emelec so it should be a really good match. Tough one to call again, if Miller Bolanos show up, then its a win for Emelec.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Luqueno beat Tolima last night. Incredible how strong the Paraguayan sides are.

Santa Fe beat Emelec, which is a shame as I wanted to see Emelec vs Olimpia in quarters. Oh well, Santa Fe is still a good team, and I quite like El Campin.

 

[Libertadores FC]

Huracan won 1-0 against Defensor in Argentina yesterday, which makes the tie really difficult for Defensor now. Huracan are better away from home and I can see them scoring at least 1 and making the tie a whole lot more complicated for Defensor.

Atletico Paranaense play Luqueno tonight. Luqueno didn't impress me when I saw them and they are in the bottom half of the Paraguayan league currently I believe. Paranaense were awful in the Libertadores last year when they played Universitario, maybe they have gotten better? I can see a 2-1 win for Paranaense in Brazil.

Hopefully Chapecoense can beat River, but unfortunately I can't see past a River win. I believe the first leg is in Brazil but Chapecoense are fighting relegation at the moment. 2-1 win for Riverplate. Hope I'm wrong. Tired of River winning everything.