The Fluminense resurrected with the last breath to turn around a game that seemed lost against International (1-2) and qualify in an epic way for the final of Libertadores Cup of 2023 with a goal and assist from Argentine forward Germán Cano. The Rio de Janeiro team will seek its first continental title on November 4 at home, at the Maracaná stadium, against the winner of the semifinal that will also face Brazilian Palmeiras and Argentine Boca Juniors.
After drawing the first leg (2-2), Fernando Diniz’s team lost the entire first half at Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, but reacted in time to neutralize the initial goal from Argentine defender Gabriel Mercado in the 9th minute.
Inter forgave the verdict three times through Ecuadorian Enner Valencia and ‘Flu’ took advantage of it with strong blows from John Kennedy (m.81) and Cano (m.87). Marcelo, formerly of Real Madrid, was instrumental in coming out of the sidelines and becoming the conductor of the Rio squad. Tricolor Carioca will play in the second final of the Copa Libertadores, after losing in 2008 against Liga de Quito.
Inter, champions in 2006 and 2010, marked the ground from the first minute with suffocating pressure. The thousands of cliffs of Beira-Rio, transformed this Wednesday into a caldera, provided the necessary oxygen to surround the visitors.
Cano and Wanderson were the first to test the nerves of goalkeepers in both markets. But Mercado opened the scoring after a corner taken by Alan Patrick. The former Sevilla player rose above the two rivals and headed in against a poor start by Fábio, who stayed in the middle and went to the ground after colliding with Nino.
The Rio team’s defense continued to leak, with too much space between Marcelo and Felipe Melo. ‘Flu’ found it dark every time they crossed the midfield line. He couldn’t find any way to safety in the first half. He only saw light when Marcelo left the side and became another midfielder. Released, the former Madrid player gave some meaning to the offensive game of Diniz’s students. That move allowed them to gain some initiative and take their first corner kick in the 40th minute.
The gaps left by Marcelo in the defense were used, however, by Inter to affect Valencia, Maurício and the Spaniard Hugo Mallo. Diniz, with a serious face, did not stop writing. The Brazilian coach also changed the drawing at half-time with the entry of midfielder Martinelli and forward Kennedy. Felipe Melo and Alexsander, the ones sacrificed.
The team has shown remarkable signs of improvement. Marcelo continued with complete freedom of movement. Inter rolled up their sleeves and started setting up trenches in front of their area, with the idea of judging the counterattack.
Valencia was about to do this after a gallop from his house that was cut off by Nino in the chaos. The Ecuadorian striker also missed a goal by failing to direct a free header inside the box. Soon after, he failed a one-on-one almost in sequence and Inter would pay for it.
In one of the few times the Red defense was out of position, Cano filtered a pass for the career of Kennedy, who expertly chipped Rochet in the final period.
Another ten minute match began where Eduardo Coudet’s team was completely disintegrated. Cano would finish off the comeback by finishing a play connected by Yony González and Kennedy. As a final touch, Fábio redeemed himself for his mistake by saving from Luiz Adriano’s header. And there went all the hopes of Internacional in the delirium of Fluminense.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
