Veron Realises Lifelong Dream – Estudiantes Win 2009 Copa Libertadores

Estudiantes Copa Libertadores Veron
And so as it was it is again. The name ‘Veron’ already echoes loudly in the annals of Estudiantes history after the glorious exploits of Juan Roman in the great Pinchas team of the late 1960s. Now however it does so more profoundly, 39 years later, after Veron jnr – son, captain, hero, led the La Plata club in claiming South America’s most coveted prize. Estudiantes are Copa Libertadores champions.

The trophy was won by way of a 2-1 win in Belo Horizonte against Cruzeiro. Henrique had given A Raposa an early second half lead with a deflected long range effort in the 52nd minute and it appeared the party was about to start for the boys in blue. But desire burned deep inside Estudiantes and they would not be beaten. Unfazed, they hit back five minutes later. Veron’s sumptuous pass found Cellay on the right and he crossed for Gastón Fernández to bundle home an equaliser.

From there Estudiantes pressed on, taking gleeful advantage of a rattled Cruzeiro team, and before long came the winner through Mauro Boselli’s cabezazo. The prolific frontman, top scorer in the Libertadores ’09, headed home the decisive goal from a corner. The pinpoint ball was played, of course, by Juan Sebastien Veron.

This was no mean feat. The Mineirão is an iconic stadium in Brazil, and until the final Cruzeiro had won every single home game including a comfortable 3-0 win over Estudiantes in the group stages. For los Pinchas to maintain their cool under intense pressure and fight back against a very capable team, a buoyant home crowd and a one goal deficit merely exemplifies all the qualities Alejandro Sabella’s men displayed throughout the tournament: determination, resolve and diligence being chief amongst them.

For Juan Sebastien Veron this triumph marks the completion of a life-long ambition. To follow in his father’s footsteps, to lift this fabled trophy high above his head in the colours of his boyhood club, as captain, represents the realisation of something even more than a dream. It marks an alignment of history; father and son, captains and champions, the same team, the same prize, but different eras. Call it destiny, call it a higher power at work, this is the sort of romantic story that leads one to question if football really is just a game. Can it really be so when it creates moments like these, moments so enchanting they pass directly into folklore?

Juan Sebastien Veron Estudiantes Copa Libertadores 2009
Veron was stifled in the first leg, part carrying a knock, part snuffed out by Cruzeiro’s tactics. But with the pendulum swinging Cruzeiro’s way after a 0-0 draw in La Plata nobody was more determined than he to ensure this opportunity did not slip away. In Belo Horizonte he played with intelligence, craft and immense heart. Desperation etched into his brow.

Again, as he has done so often throughout an illustrious career, la Brujita ran the show with his extraordinary vision and incisive passing, dictating play when the Argentines needed him most. If Estudiantes is Emu, Juan Sebastien Veron is most definitely their Rod Hull – he brings them to life. At the final whistle he fell to the floor in emotional exhaustion, tears of joy pouring down his face.

To liken the new kings of South America to a lifeless puppet however is doing them great disservice. Mauro Boselli, rejected by Boca, was a key man throughout the competition providing firepower upfront. Gaston ‘la Gata’ Fernandez was instrumental in the final. Mariano Andujar, a tour de force in goal through Estudiantes’ run, now leaves La Plata for Serie A and Catania.


Veron Bruja Estudiantes
No, Sabella’s men are no mugs. It’s just that Veron completes them, like that broad does Jerry Maguire. He brings cohesion, not to forget leadership also. These characteristics have proved crucial in Estudiantes’ 4th Copa Libertadores (which puts them behind only Boca, Penarol and Independiente in the all-time list).

Poor Brazil. For the second season running an expectant Brazilian home crowd gathered en masse to witness their team deliver a Copa Libertadores crown. And for the second season running, it failed to materialise. Last year Fluminense thought they had the title in the bag. All they had to do was show up against LDU Quito. So they thought. For Cruzeiro it is a crushing blow, but ultimately they lacked experience at a crucial time having gone a goal up.

Before the final, Alejandro Sabella showed the team a compilation of family goodwill messages and imagery of Estudiantes and the club’s fans, hoping to inspire his troops. It worked. The squad now return to La Plata forever heroes. 1968, 1969, 1970 and 2009: iEstudiantes Campeon!


[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDXSFzp0A4s]

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2 Responses to “Veron Realises Lifelong Dream – Estudiantes Win 2009 Copa Libertadores”

  1. nate
    July 21, 2009 at 2:43 pm #

    Veron was A-MA-ZING. The guy could very well still be playing top club level in Europe but decided to come back to Estudiantes and still be able to play at a top level. since his return to Estudiantes, they have won and Apertura Cup, reached the finales of the Sudamericana and won the Libertadores… not bad at all!

  2. AUDIE UK ARGY FANBOY
    April 28, 2010 at 4:42 pm #

    VERON WILL BE KEY SUMMER 2010 WHEN ARGENTINA WIN THE WORLD CUP I CAN SEE THIS GUY HAVING SWEET SWEET REVENGE