Copa Libertadores 2018

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The intercontinental Cup and the CWC are the same, according to FIFA, so your point is meaningless, unless you think something like adding the Oceania champion is relevant. Not counting the Intercontinental champions is the equivalent of not counting the World Cup champions from before the field was expanded to 32 countries. I do tip my hat to any South America team that beats the Euros, considering the economic disparity. Fact is, they are always the favorites, they raid all our best players, and yet we still play them tough.

As far as Renato, I vividly remember that he sucked. Maybe I had bad luck, and only got to watch him when he played his worst games, but I never saw him play a good match, whether it was eliminatorias or Copa America, or whenever, it always felt like he was not in the same league as some of his better teammates. And of course Brazil had some amazing players during his era, who were a pleasure to watch. I do appreciate the Brazilian players, the ones who I actually saw play well.

I remember we did a Brazil all-time draft here at BigSoccer and I participated. I think Renato was chosen in the very last round, and I remember having been surprised that he was even chosen. Whoever chose him - I don't remember now- had some nice things to say about him. But lots of his contemporaries were chosen ahead of him.

But enough about Renato, lets talk about some good players.

 

Fair enough about 94 WC. But why bring it up if my point was about bunkering and countering when it's mainly what Inter, Corinthians, and Sao Paulo resorted to ? It's completely unrelated. There are tactical plans in between all attack and all defense.

 

Only people who don't understand VAR process are people who don't want to. To be a coach, or a player and raise questions about the process when it looks like they clearly didn't fukin bother to understand it in the first place is damn embarassing. You can criticize the current process, but don't claim to be confused about it. The process is pretty clear.

 

And credit to Boca yesterday. When we did go up 2 x 1 and things got uncomfortable, Boca brought in Benedetto instead of a DM for a forward. I really wish Scolari had been more adventurous in the first leg as the team has plenty of quality to do so. Like I said, away goals can make or break the tie. Wasted opportunity.

One thing that weighted is that we played 10+ more games than Boca this season and also, Boca has had Schelotto for 2+ years while we keep changing managers every 3 months.

 

If I were making the rules, I'd make it so the team is disqualified. That's just me.

 

Guillermo or Gustavo?

I agree that Gustavo probably sucked about as much as Renato

 

I felt there were a few minutes right after the converted penalty when Boca players panicked. If Palmeiras had scored another goal at that point, who knows? But then Boca regrouped. Bringing in Benedetto was the right choice, by whoever was coaching.

The other interesting thing was the disallowed offside goal, early in the game. If there had been no VAR, that goal probably would have been allowed, and who knows how the game would have played out? So many things go into a team advancing.

Boca earned it, but there is also a bit of fortune involved. In fact, the first game at La Bombonera was not much different from the group stage game that Boca lost, except that this time it was Boca who broke the ice first and went on to win. Palmeiras certainly was a worthy opponent, both in the group stage and in the elimination matches.

 

Unfortunately I don't remember watching that match. Maybe he scored two Messi-like goals, for all I know. But I had bad luck with Renato. Whenever I watched him play for Brazil he not only sucked but he really looked out of his depth, compared to his much more talented teammates. Seriously, I remember him like it was yesterday, wondering what the hell he was doing with the Brazil shirt on

 

Was that the 89 team?

I do remember that one. That title was all Romario and Bebeto, they won it in spite of Renato. Dude couldn't even control the ball, probably too much partying.

 

Did Renato even play that much in 89 ? He was a bench player. I don't recall him having any influence.

I don't remember Renato being all that back in day. But then again, I was a kid and I never watched much of him and when I did, it was late 80s early 90s which was late in his career. I did checked some of his highlights last year and he was a bit more mobile with quite a bit of dribbling than I remembered him.

 

But...they always play on Saturdays. That's el quemero being a troll.