Copa Libertadores 2009 – Matchday 1: Holders LDU Quito Make Winning Start (Includes Video)

LDU Quito got the defence of their Copa Libertadores crown off to a flying start this week with an impressive 3-2 win over Brazilian outfit Palmeiras. In what was arguably the game of the opening round, Damian Manso’s 58th minute winner was enough to secure victory for LDU, who had twice led thanks to two goals from 31-year-old forward Walter Calderon before twice being pegged back by the Sao Paulo outfit.

Though early in the tournament, the 3-2 victory was an important one for LDU Quito. Despite emerging as the first Ecuadorian side to win the Libertadores, many have been quick to write off their chances of success in this coming campaign. Quite unfairly, certain quarters have been reluctant to give Los Universitarios the credit that they, as champions, are clearly due. A flash in the pan and no more is what some expect.

Additionally, question marks have risen about the ability of the current squad of players to emulate the extraordinary feats of their predecessors. As is the norm in South American football these days, LDU have lost some of the best players to emerge from their 2008 success to foreign clubs with higher budgets and more spending power. Joffre Guerrón, the dynamite winger chosen as the Libertadores’ best player in 2008, is now at Getafe. Enrique Vera is now playing in Mexico and the talented forward Luis Bolaños, who played in the recent Club World Cup for LDU, has since moved to Santos in Brazil. As well as losing key members of the playing squad their coach Edgardo Bauza, an astute tactician, also decided to seek pastures new.

Given the level of personnel change at LDU Quito therefore, to successfully defeat one of the pre-tournament favourites in their opening game of the competition no doubt provides both a sense of relief and a massive boost of confidence to new coach Jorge Fossati and his men.

The match

LDU took the lead in the 24th minute when Walter Calderon beat Palmeiras’ offside trap to meet Damian Manso’s cross into the box with a sweeping header. The lead lasted just four minutes. Wanderlei Luxemburgo’s men then equalised when Quito’s Jose Cevallos could only parry a powerful shot straight into the path of Palmeiras’ Williams, who made no mistake from six yards out, sliding the rebound low into the net.

Calderon then struck again, making the most of a defensive mix-up to restore LDU’s lead with a tap-in in the 35th minute, giving the holders a 2-1 lead into the break. Straight after half-time however, the lead evaporated. Former Barcelona and Villarreal defender Edmilson, back in Brazilian football with Verdão, the big green of Palmeiras, rose above everybody to power a header from a free-kick into Cevallos’ net. 2-2.

A tense second half saw chances at both ends. But it was LDU Quito who saved the best till last, and the winning goal was an absolute peach. Damian Manso, the Argentinian creative midfielder blessed with a sweet left foot, curled in a delightful free-kick from the edge of the box to restore the hosts’ lead at the Casa Blanca, and ultimately secure the victory, to the delight of the home fans whose flare waving and passionate support was duly rewarded. Manso was at the heart of everything good about Quito and was clearly the man of the match. Check out the video for all the goals, it really is worth it to see Manso’s free-kick.

Elsewhere in Group A, Sport Recife beat Chilean champions Colo Colo in Santiago 2-1, so LDU Quito and Sport Recife strike the first blows in what is one of the toughest of all eight groups. Other results from Matchday 1 below, after the video:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMjGEpUynj4]
Group A

LDU Quito 3-2 Palmeiras
Colo Colo 1-2 Sport Recife

Group B

Guarani 1-2 Deportivo Tachira
Boca Juniors 1-0 Deportivo Cuenca

Group C

Nacional (URU) 2-1 Universidad San Martin
River Plate 1-0 Nacional (PAR)
Nacional (PAR) 0-3 Nacional (URU)

Group D

Defensor Sporting 1-0 America de Cali
Sao Paulo 1-1 Independiente Medellin

Group E

Universitario de Sucre 1-1 Deportivo Quito

Group F

Lanus 1-1 Chivas Guadalajara
Everton 1-0 Caracas

Group G

Aurora 0-3 Boyaca Chico

Group H

San Lorenzo 4-1 San Luis
Libertad 2-1 Universitario

In Group E, Cruzeiro play Copa Sudamericana runners-up Estudiantes, of Juan Sebastien Veron fame, tonight. That should be a cracker.

So come on then, who are you getting behind? Even if you know nothing about the teams, choose one from a country you like or indeed one with the best name (Boyaca Chico, anyone?) and get involved. Just Football will be keeping you informed every step of the way. And, for the record, we are backing Defensor Sporting all the way. All about the underdog!

Colo Colo, Copa Libertadores, LDU Quito, Palmeiras, Sport Recife