Millonarios rescued a tie that tasted like glory against Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores

Could be better. It could have been a more glorious ending for Millionairesbecause it was not inferior to Flamengo, because he gave him a fight, and because when he lost and was left with 10 men, he appealed to his blue fury, his courage, and achieved a 1-1 draw in El Campín in his debut in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. A tie that tastes good, although everything could have been better.

The first challenge for Millonarios was to show Flamengo that there were no fears, that they could play with such a strong rival, reach, attack, and beat them. That was the mission, to gain confidence so that football would flow. Mackalister Silva He was in charge of organizing the blue game. Leo Castro, who reappeared to boost the confidence of the fans, launched the first shot very quickly, to warm up the engines. He still didn't know, he couldn't imagine that later he would miss the goal that would have changed history.

Flamengo played at a different pace, without getting too worn out, but their attacks were brutal, enough to make anyone's hair stand on end. When Arrascaeta gave the signal Flamengo was a hungry and ferocious pack. One, two, three touches, with Pedrowith chives, in speed, to destroy the defense or at least make it shake. It was like this Matias Viña He was left alone in front of the goal, he had time to line up and receive the ball, and to drink a red wine if he wanted, with such comfort, but something happened to him, because it didn't make a good impact, it must have been because of the clamor of the blue fans, their sincere prayers, their collective strength, because Viña threw the ball into the sky. Phew, the fans let loose the compressed air, a fan who experienced the game with clenched teeth.

The most pessimistic realized that this rival was actually powerful. Especially when minutes later it was Alvaro Montero the one who put his iron hands to deflect a shot from Bruno Henrique.

However, Millonarios had its reaction, its moment to show who the local was and it grew. Daniel Catano He had a couple of shots that could have had a better destination, one of them was a header in complete solitude. They were the skirmishes of a Millonarios who wanted to fight, who did not allow himself to be imposed on the Brazilians' conditions, a Millonarios who became convinced that he could, until he generated his best opportunity, which shook the El Campín stadium, a riot. beautiful, precise, a center from Alfonzo directly into the area where Leonardo Castro spread his wings and launched himself with strength and heart to hit a beastly header, directly at the goal, only that the vertical moved one thousandth and the impact of the ball with The stick sounded like a powerful thunder in Bogotá, while the heart returned to the chest of each fan, of each player, of Alberto Gamero. It was a goal. It was not. Why didn't it go?, they ask themselves today, they will ask themselves tomorrow and the day after…

Giordana also had his shot before the end of the first half, it was no longer such a clear option, but it was another dangerous approach that set the stands on fire. The fans, still shaken by Castro's blow, shouted and jumped again. Millos went into the break with his head held high. It was a good first half. Could be better.

The fans expected Millonarios to play the second half with the same conviction, with that daring, but the Millonarios of the second half went out. It was as if the fierceness had worn off in the first part and there was no more left.

Flamengo played calmly, without eagerness, as if the draw was a good result for their plans in this Copa Libertadores or as if they simply trusted that at any moment their glory was going to descend to El Campín.

At minute 61 Millonarios sinned, a serious sin, a bad start and the defense was exposed. Larry Vásquez, in a desperate attempt, threw himself on Arrascaeta. Penalty… Red for Vásquez… Blue appeal… That it was outside… The Referee, implacable… The uneasiness in the stands… Pedro was the executioner, he defined coldly, in the center, up, away from Montero and it was a goal, 0-1.

With that panorama, it was difficult to think that the tie would come. Gamero scratched his head and moved his chips. They entered Emerson Rodríguez and Daniel Ruizand together they gave life to the team.

Emerson overflowed with a Brazilian dribble and passed to Ruiz so that he could take an unexpected shot, the ball entered slowly, with drama, pushed by the breath of an entire fan, and it was 1-1, in 80 minutes.

Millonarios wanted to win, they could, they tried, but they saved a draw that tasted like glory, although it could have been less.

PABLO ROMERO

Editor of EL TIEMPO

@PabloRomeroET

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