South America's Top Clubs - June 2016

All the way to the top in June: Robinho and Atlético Mineiro. Despite just one win to start the new Serie A season in Brazil, Atlético Mineiro have gathered the top of the monthly South American club ranking. This was mainly due to their success in the Copa Libertadores. Only recently, they were eliminated on away goals by their countrymen from São Paulo.  Back in May, it was still Corinthians on top of the Germancopa ranking. In June,...

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Nacional knocked out in dramatic fashion

The dream is over: Nacional have been knocked out on penalties by Boca Juniors in the Bombonera last night. After 90 intense minutes, it had been 1-1 like in the first leg a week ago.  The captains Cata Díaz and Polenta before the game. (Photo: nacional.uy) Uruguay's champion could count on a lot of away support over in Buenos Aires. Argentina's capital ended up experiencing a fantastic atmosphere from both sets of fans.  Personnel Boca...

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Peñarol steal a lucky point from Nacional

On Sunday afternoon local time, it was finally time for the Clausura Clásico between Peñarol and Nacional. The venue: Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, which was nicely filled despite the persistent rain in Uruguay's capital.  Exciting clash between two bitter rivals in Montevideo. (Photo: ovaciondigital.com.uy) Personnel Nacional were forced into two changes from the Copa Libertadores outing against Boca Juniors. As expected, striker...

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Peñarol take on Nacional in Clásico Uruguayo

A ground-breaking game for both teams is what it is all about in this season's Clásico Uruguayo. Yesterday, the visitors celebrated their 117th birthday Key man on Sunday: Seba Fernández has never lost a Clásico. (Photo: tenfield.com.uy) When Peñarol play against Nacional, a ton of pride and bragging rights will always be on the line, seperating the country in two halves. This time around, the game is being played in week 12 of the Clausura...

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Statistical overview of Nacional vs Boca

Last night, the first impressions after Nacional vs Boca had me talking of a relatively even game in the match report. Just how even was it exactly and what can be expected for the second leg in a week's time? When taking a look at the statistical overview from last night, we can see that our first impression was surely not a wrong one. Even possession for the most part, even shots on goal fired by both teams. Just accuracy-wise, Nacional had...

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Nacional and Boca draw in exciting clash

It was a big night for Nacional and Boca Juniors. In Montevideo's iconic Gran Parque Central, Uruguay's champion hosted their Argentine counterparts. Boca went into the game unbeaten in the competition so far, but not really in form either. Nacional had lost one game that did not matter anymore previously. Could it be anything less than a great one? Gran Parque Central pre-game crowd. Personnel Nacional made no changes from their previous...

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Copa Libertadores - Quarterfinal preview

Back on February 2, the Copa Libertadores season started with the first round. Ever since then, we moved through group stages and the round of 16 to now await the quarterfinals of this year's competition. Here are all the previews. Rosario Central - Atlético Nacional Atlético Nacional's atmospheric home ground. (Photo: ecbloguer.com) The best team of the group stages, Atlético Nacional, had a little scare against Huracán, but went through with...

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Nacional knock out Corinthians to make last 8

Nacional have completed their surprise. Last night they visited Corinthians and a 2-2 draw was enough to make it into the quarterfinals.  Mission "Corinthians" complete for Nacional. The first leg a week ago had ended in a draw as well. Back then, the Gran Parque Central crowd saw a 0-0. Now Gustavo Munúa's squad travelled to Brazil to take on the country's champion in the World Cup 2014 stadium that saw the opening match two years ago....

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South America's Top Clubs - May 2016

  Four wins in the Copa Libertadores have led to Brazilian club Corinthians taking over the top of Germancopa's South American football club ranking. They replaced April's winner Atlético Nacional. The Colombians were extremely successful in the Libertadores as well, but suffered a surprise loss in the league. Six "new" clubs enter the list this month, the best one of them being Olimpia in 4th. After a weak start to the season, they turned...

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Nacional struggle with Sud América challenge

Nacional finished off week 10 in Uruguay with their visit to Sud América. "Visit" as they played in the Estadio Centenario. The Tricolor had to win to stay on track on their way to another Uruguayan championship. After Plaza Colonia could only manage a draw earlier, three points would take Nacional to the top of the league.  Estadio Centenario. Going into the game, Gustavo Munúa made five changes. Erick Cabaco and Christián Tabó replaced...

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