Copa Libertadores is going by quickly, already in its semifinal stage after the competition started in late January, with the group stages beginning in February. Four worthy competitors remain, and their differing styles of play make this year’s final four a very intriguing one. Santos FC take their very exciting and very Brazilian style of play to face Cerro Porteño, a very defensive team, while counter-attacking side Peñarol takes on a possession-based Velez Sarsfield side who relies on a central playmaker.
Copa Libertadores 2011, Semifinals: Santos Vs. Cerro Porteño, Peñarol Vs. Velez Sarsfield
Santos FC Vs. Cerro Porteño
Wednesday, 8:50 pm ET
With Paulo Henrique Ganso still suffering from an injury, Santos might struggle to unlock a stingy Cerro defense. Cerro will almost certainly pack 10 men behind the ball, leaving Roberto Nanni to do all of the work up top. This strategy has been successful for them so far in the knockout rounds, so there’s no reason to believe they won’t continue utilizing it. If the likes of Neymar and Ze Roberto can get Santos on the board early, Cerro might have to loosen up, creating a potentially great tie.
Peñarol Vs. Velez Sarsfield
Thursday, 8:50 pm ET
Thanks to the dazzling play of Juan Manuel Martinez, Augusto Fernandez and Maxi Moralez, Velez Sarsfield are still the favorites to win this competition, despite the presence of Neymar and Santos. Moralez has been arguably the best player in this tournament and in the 2011 Clausura in Argentina, leading many to wonder how long he’ll be a Velez player. The answer is at least until the end of the Copa Libertadores, which is bad news for Peñarol. Their success against Argentinian clubs has been hit or miss, as they are 2-2 with no draws against Godoy Cruz and Independiente, but their play in the quarterfinals suggests that they have a chance. Universidad Catolica was perhaps the second most in form team in South America behind Velez, and Peñarol did well to defeat them.
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