Atlético-MG reach Copa Sul-Americana final, check out Galo’s campaign | OneFootball

In the Sulamericana final, Atlético-MG will return to a continental final after losing the 2024 Copa Libertadores to Botafogo. On their way to the final, the team from Minas Gerais faced difficulties in the group stage, challenges at high altitude, a change of coach, and penalty shootouts. Atlético will face Lanús on November 22 (Saturday) at 5 PM, at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco in Paraguay.

Group Stage

Atlético was in Group H of the competition, alongside Cienciano (Peru), Deportes Iquique (Chile), and Caracas (Venezuela). In the first three matches, they had two draws (Cienciano in Peru, 0-0, and Caracas in Venezuela, 1-1) and one victory (against Iquique, a 4-0 thrashing at Arena MRV), totaling 5 points.

A loss to Iquique away, 3-2, and a home victory against Caracas, 3-1, left Galo in second place in the group, needing only a win against Cienciano at home to finish first. However, the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

Playoffs

Galo advanced to the Sula playoffs, where they would face one of the teams coming from the Libertadores, in this case, Atlético Bucaramanga from Colombia. In the first leg in Bucaramanga, Alan Franco was sent off early in the second half when the game was tied. Despite the setback, Atlético managed to win with a goal from Hulk, via a penalty kick. Goalkeeper Éverson's performance was crucial for the positive result.

In the return leg in Belo Horizonte, the script was reversed. With a goal from a set-piece, the Colombians took the decision to penalties. In the shootout, Galo won 3-1. Éverson made two saves and converted the final penalty to secure a spot in the round of 16.

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

Round of 16

In a Brazil vs. Argentina clash, Atlético hosted Godoy Cruz at Arena MRV and fell behind after a goal from Andino in the first half. In the second half, the home team managed a comeback with goals from Cuello and Hulk in the 44th minute.

In the return leg, Galo managed to withstand the pressure from the Argentinians and won with a goal from Natanael early in the second half.

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

Change in Command

Before the quarter-final clash, Atlético was going through a turbulent time in the Brazilian Championship. The club's management announced the departure of coach Cuca and secured the hiring of Jorge Sampaoli, a familiar face to the fans. The Argentine had previously managed the Minas Gerais club in 2020.

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

Quarter-finals

Atlético faced the tough task of playing at the high altitude of La Paz, Bolivia, against Bolívar. Galo managed to take a two-goal lead but conceded a draw at the end of the match. In the second half, the home team had a player sent off and missed a penalty.

In Minas, after a hard-fought game, the star of idol Bernard shone. In the 46th minute of the second half, after a cross from Scarpa, the 1.64m tall forward headed into the corner of the goal, igniting the Atlético fans.

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

Semi-final

In the semis, the team from Minas had to play again at high altitude, but this time they went to Ecuador to face Independiente Del Valle. After conceding a penalty goal in the 11th minute of the first half, Galo fought back to equalize in the 46th minute of the second half, with a goal from Dudu, his first for the club.

At Arena MRV, Atlético made the most of their home support and secured a spot in the Sulamericana final with a dominant 3-1 victory.

Photo: Pedro Souza / Atlético

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.