The Atletico Mineiro and the America Mineirohistorical rivals in the Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, tied 1-1 this Wednesday in the first derby between the two for the Libertadores Cupin a match for the second day of Group D of the continental tournament.
With a goal from Ademir a few minutes from the end of the match, Atlético, who won the Brazilian Championship and Copa do Brasil titles last year, avoided a historic defeat against América, who opened the scoring early in the second time with so much from Felipe Azevedo and almost got the victory.
The draw prevented América from finally celebrating a victory over its historic rival after 19 fasting games (now there are 14 wins and 6 draws for Atlético), since Coelho has not beaten Galo since 2016, and allowed Atlético to remain undefeated in the Mineirao stadium, where they have not lost since last year.
The result also allows the Brazilian champion to provisionally take first place in Group D of the Libertadores, with 4 points, after winning 0-2 last week in his visit to Tolima in Colombia.
America added its first point and moved up to third place, waiting for the game this Wednesday in which the Ecuadorian Independiente del Valle, which has three points, will receive Tolima, which still does not score.
Atlético, as expected, was the team that attacked and pressed the most at home, but was surprised by an América team that preferred to wait behind and play on the counterattack, which allowed for much more dangerous plays than those of their rival.
The first scoring opportunity, however, was given to Atlético, when, just a minute later, the veteran Hulk, the team’s and the League’s top scorer last year, took advantage of an error by América and tried to open the scoring but his ball crashed in Lago Maidana.
Atlético insisted on the ends but felt the lack of the injured Keno and also generated plays through the center with the Argentine Matías Zaracho, who had a goal disallowed for offside, and the Chilean Eduardo Vargas.
While Atlético constantly bothered the goal defended by Jailson, América was limited to occasional counterattacks.
In the second half, the Brazilian champion also began to press, but America finally paid off with their strategy of defending themselves and coming out on counterattacks in the 50th minute, when Felipe Azevedo took a ball in the middle of the field, beat Uruguayan Diego Godín and advanced up to the area to beat Everson and open the scoring.
Atlético reacted immediately and went on the attack again, but coach Vagner Mancini, in his first game after being rehired this week, began to strengthen his defense with the departure of the attackers and the entry of a third defender.
América completely locked themselves on their pitch to defend themselves against Atlético’s avalanche and their counterattack attempts were increasingly sporadic.
The insistence only paid off in the 85th minute, when Ademir, who entered the second half, received a long shot from Mariano from the intermediary, advanced towards the area, left Maidana on the road and guaranteed the equalizer for Atlético.
The six minutes of substitution granted by the referee were an avalanche of attack by Atlético to attempt the winning goal, but neither the Argentine Nacho Fernández nor the Chilean Vargas nor the Venezuelan Savarino nor Hulk managed to overcome the barrier mounted by América in their defense with the whole team.
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