Colombians win their second Libertadores title after beating Independiente del Valle
Ten wins, three draws and just a single defeat; Atletico Nacional’s triumphant Libertadores campaign reads like one of the best in the history of the competition – and some of the Colombian team’s football was as impressive as the statistics. Reinaldo Rueda’s men played in the tradition of their 1989 predecessors who, under coach Francisco Maturana, helped put Colombian football on the map with a patient and attractive passing game.
Changes of rhythm in possession – slow build-ups suddenly culminating in quick combinations – came together for Rueda’s side with flashes of individual talent. And though the line-up had to be reconstructed both immediately before and during the competition, the team retained a collective identity which proved too strong for their opponents in the Final: the fairy-tale team from Ecuador, Independiente del Valle.
Emerging from their country’s third division less than a decade ago, tiny Independiente have come a long way in a short time with a strong identity of their own. The club, from the outskirts of Quito, specialise in youth development and the fact that they lack a mass following perhaps makes it easier for them to achieve continuity, with Uruguayan coach Pablo Repetto in charge for four years before stepping down after the Final.
His side had much in common with the current Ecuador national team, with a game plan based on swift transitions to quick and skilful wingers. Throughout the knockout rounds they built up a narrow lead in the home leg – first in their ramshackle little stadium and then in the capital – and protected it in the away leg with a mixture of valiant defence and counter-thrusts.
This story is from the September 2016 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2016 edition of World Soccer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Never Say Never Again
Bayer Leverkusen are determined to shake off their tag of perennial runners-up
The Last Days Of Roma
How Jose Mourinho's time in the Italian capital came to an end
Opponents then friends: Beckenbauer and Cruyff
Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff’s relationship defined an era of football
THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN
RB Leipzig's as successful strategy to build a women's team as their men's is right on schedule
New-look Ulsan ready to defend title
The reigning K-League champions have rebranded since last season and are the team to beat yet again in 2024
Messi set for MLS spotlight
The Argentine and his Inter Miami team-mates will dominate the MLS headlines in a big year for North American football
Champions League knockout rounds begin
The last 16 has already begun, with the quarter-finals soon to follow
Hannes Halldorsson
The former Iceland goalkeeper looks back on his proudest moment in football
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 2023-24 KNOCKOUT ROUND PREVIEW
Turn over now for Nick Bidwell's comprehensive team-by-team guide
Ventforet Kofu
Japanese second-tier side advance to Asian Champions League knockout rounds with a second-string team