BUENOS AIRES (AP) — With the skill of a four-time continental champion, Estudiantes La Plata closed his fence in the visit to Atlético Paranaense on Thursday, for the first duel of the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.
Despite having less brilliant names than his rival and with his two scorers injured (Mauro Boselli and Leandro Díaz), Pincha -champion in 1968, 1969, 1970 and 2009- equaled 0-0 in Curitiba and is enthusiastic about signing the advance to the semifinals next week in Buenos Aires.
In the first crossing of these teams for international tournaments, Estudiantes was close at 17 minutes with a header from defender Luciano Lollo that goalkeeper Bento saved after a corner kick.
Paranaense, champion of the South American 2021, disturbed with a Khellven free kick that veteran Argentine goalkeeper Mariano Andújar saved at 35.
Fernandinho played in the local team, who at 37 years old returned to play in the Libertadores after almost two decades in European clubs, including Manchester City.
Only in the last quarter of the match, veteran Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team dominated the process and arrived at risk by dint of centers that the visiting defense knew how to repel, except for a header by Leonardo Cittadini that passed within millimeters of Andújar’s right post to the 74.
Estudiantes, who have not lost to Brazilian rivals in the last five meetings, the longest unbeaten streak in their history, had the clearest chance of the complement with a shot from Mateo Pellegrini just wide.
TIE IN SOUTH AMERICAN
With ten players, Internacional de Brasil rescued a 0-0 draw in the visit to Melgar in Peru
At 65 minutes, Alexandre Alemao elbowed Alexis Arias violently and received the red card that will prevent him from playing the rematch next week in Porto Alegre.
For Melgar, the last champion of the Peruvian league, it was the first game of the South American competition that he played under the direction of Argentine Pablo Lavallén, who replaced his compatriot Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia’s new coach.
