2011 Copa Libertadores: Independiente Defeats Deportivo Quito 2-0, Corinthians In Action Wednesday

Independiente started this year’s Copa Libertadores picking-up where they left-off in last year’s Sudamericana, posting a 2-0 win over visiting Deportivo Quito, building a potentially decisive lead ahead of next week’s leg in Ecuador. Whether a “decisive” lead is safe at 9,300 feet bares debating. What’s beyond debate: Independiente has gotten their quest for an eighth title off to a strong start.

Deportivo Quito, however, has only themselves to blame for the result. Strong (if chippy) play through the midfield was undone by two errors at the back. The first, coming in the 49th minute, saw Mathias Defederico take an errant clearance from Luis Checa and easily beat Marcelo Elizaga from 8 yards out. In the 71st minute, a set piece from the right flank was allowed to drop in the middle of the Academia area, where an unmarked Patricio Rodríguez gave the Red Devils a crucial second goal.

But before those matches, Independiente starts the quest to regain continental prominence, hoping to post a big score against Deportivo before ascending the heights of Quito. At 9,350 meters above sea level, Quito is a problematic trip for any visitor, with Depotivo and Liga (LDU Quito) combining for a 19-7-2 home record in Copa Libertadores since 2006.

Speaking to FIFA.com, Independiente midfielder Nicolas Cabrera echoed the need for a convincing home result.