Trust formula
In Barranquilla, two ways of understanding football clashed. Arturo Reyes, the local team’s coach, defends the idea that success is achieved by attacking with several men, knowing that the rearguard can be left unprotected at certain moments of the match.
In a crucial match for his continuity in the team, given the poor results in the Colombian tournament, the coach lined up Bacca alongside the speedy Luis “Cariaco” González, Yairo Moreno and José Enamorado.
On the other hand, the teams of Argentine Jorge Almirón tend to be more cautious. That formula led him to be a finalist in the Libertadores last year with Boca Juniors. In that edition, the Xeneize won in the round of 16, quarterfinals and the semifinal in the penalty shootout with goalkeeper Sergio Romero as the main protagonist.
In Barranquilla, Colo Colo was a reflection of its leader: very compact, without giving up space and with the ability to destroy every attempt by Bacca – author of more than 140 goals in his time in Europe – and company.
In the 43rd minute, the good positioning of the white players allowed the first goal. The Uruguayan goalkeeper Santiago Mele took a shot from the goal looking for one of his forwards, but the defender Erick Wiemberg kept the ball.
He then passed to Lucas Cepeda, who advanced slowly and, noticing that no rival was pressing him, shot and scored the goal, despite a weak reaction from Mele.
Bacca inspiring, Falcón decisive
With Junior in distress, the local fans were calling for the appearance of Carlos Bacca, the benchmark of a club that has just celebrated a century of life and in recent years has invested millions in renowned players with the aim of winning its first international tournament.
At just 45+1, the goalscorer looked for space in his natural habitat, the penalty area. He received a pass between the lines from Didier Moreno and calmly finished with a cross shot to tie the match.
In the second half, the Shark came out hungry. Bacca, wearing the captain’s armband, stepped on the gas and his teammates responded.
But on the other side, instructions were also given by a man of experience: Mauricio Isla, right back and synonym of hierarchy in the Colo Colo defence.
As the minutes passed, the red-and-white’s flame began to fade and Almirón’s changes refreshed the cacique, while Reyes’ modifications had no impact on the field.
In the 72nd minute, a Colo Colo player headed in a corner kick. The ball hit the crossbar and fortunately Uruguayan centre-back Maximiliano Falcón found it and scored the second goal.
With victory in the bag, Arturo Vidal came on in the 82nd minute. His entry was a relief for the Chileans, as the “King” was unable to play in Santiago due to an injury during the warm-up.
To make his dismissal from Libertadores even more dramatic, junior defender Rafael Pérez was sent off for hitting an opponent in the chest.