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.
2011 Copa Libertadores Highlights: Independiente Vs. Deportivo Quito
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.
The second leg is scheduled for next Tuesday at the Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa in Quito, where Ecuadorian clubs have lost only two of 28 fixtures over the last five Copas. But Independiente doesn’t need to win next Tuesday, and should they find the away goal that they prevented Deportivo in Buenos Aires, Independiente would have to allow four goals before being exposed to elimination.
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