A. PARANAENSE VS SAO PABLO
A SAMBA STYLE FINAL
When Brazil downed archrivals Argentina last Wednesday in Frankfurt to win the FIFA Confederations Cup, it heralded a wonderful few days for Brazilian football. That same Wednesday 29 June, Sao Paulo saw off River Plate to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, and then 24 hours later Atlético Paranaense earned the right to face them after a second-leg draw away to Chivas of Guadalajara.
Final coincidences
As well as both clubs hailing from the land of the Pentacampeão, there are some other striking similarities in how the sides managed to reach the final of this year's revised Copa Libertadores
Sao Paulo and the Furacao both secured their passage to the final on their travels after coming into their second-leg fixtures with commanding leads. Paulo Autuori's side put paid to the hopes of River Plate with a 2-0 win at the Morumbí followed by a 3-2 win at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, while Atlético Paranaense also clocked up a 5-2 aggregate victory, in their case against Chivas of Guadalajara, courtesy of a 3-0 win on home soil and a 2-2 draw in Mexico.
Sao Paulo seeking Triple Crown
The Paulistas have made it to the final on four previous occasions (1974, 1992, 1993 and 1994), going on to lift the trophy in 1992 and 1993. Their first title came after victory over Newell's Old Boys of Argentina, while the second saw them deny Chile's Universidad Católica. With the legendary Telé Santana at the helm and such luminaries as Zetti, Cafú, Muller, Antonio Carlos and Raí in the side, the club also won back-to-back Intercontinental Cups against Barcelona (1992) and AC Milan (1993) respectively
Sao Paulo's goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni (1) celebrates his second goal, the third of his team, jumping over Fabao, after scoring against Tigres, of Mexico, during their Libertadores Cup quarter final round soccer match, at Morumbi stadium, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, 01 June 2005
Alberto Skavinski of Atletico Paranaense celebrates with the Brazil flag after defeating Chivas in the semis
A SAMBA STYLE FINAL
When Brazil downed archrivals Argentina last Wednesday in Frankfurt to win the FIFA Confederations Cup, it heralded a wonderful few days for Brazilian football. That same Wednesday 29 June, Sao Paulo saw off River Plate to reach the final of the Copa Libertadores, and then 24 hours later Atlético Paranaense earned the right to face them after a second-leg draw away to Chivas of Guadalajara.
Final coincidences
As well as both clubs hailing from the land of the Pentacampeão, there are some other striking similarities in how the sides managed to reach the final of this year's revised Copa Libertadores
Sao Paulo and the Furacao both secured their passage to the final on their travels after coming into their second-leg fixtures with commanding leads. Paulo Autuori's side put paid to the hopes of River Plate with a 2-0 win at the Morumbí followed by a 3-2 win at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires, while Atlético Paranaense also clocked up a 5-2 aggregate victory, in their case against Chivas of Guadalajara, courtesy of a 3-0 win on home soil and a 2-2 draw in Mexico.
Sao Paulo seeking Triple Crown
The Paulistas have made it to the final on four previous occasions (1974, 1992, 1993 and 1994), going on to lift the trophy in 1992 and 1993. Their first title came after victory over Newell's Old Boys of Argentina, while the second saw them deny Chile's Universidad Católica. With the legendary Telé Santana at the helm and such luminaries as Zetti, Cafú, Muller, Antonio Carlos and Raí in the side, the club also won back-to-back Intercontinental Cups against Barcelona (1992) and AC Milan (1993) respectively
