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Copa Libertadores Player Of The Week: Ronaldinho - Flamengo
Goal.com salutes the players who shine every week in the Copa Libertadores, this week highlighting Flamengo's controversial but electrifying No. 10
Feb 3, 2012 8:00:00 AM
Maurício Val/VIPCOMM
Copa Libertadores Player of the Week: Ronaldinho
Club: Flamengo
Country: Brazil
Age: 31
Role: Attacking Midfielder
Achievement: Set up one goal and scored another to prevent a humiliating preliminary exit
It is fair to say that former Barcelona and AC Milan idol Ronaldinho did not enjoy the best of times over Brazil's summer break. His brother and agent was embroiled in a very messy, very public dispute with Flamengo over unpaid salaries, while R10 himself attracted the ire of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo over an alleged reluctance to turn up for early morning training sessions.
Luxa may have surprisingly received his marching orders on Thursday after losing the power struggle, but Ronaldinho and the Fla are very much alive in the Copa Libertadores. A tepid 2-1 defeat away to Real Potosi threatened a disastrous exit at the competition's preliminary stage, until the mercurial No. 10 grabbed hold of the return leg.
A perfectly-weighted free kick in the final minutes of the first-half found the head of Leo Moura to head the Brazilians level, and thanks to the away goal secured in Bolivia put one foot into the group stage. Despite numerous chances, however, Flamengo appeared unable to kill off the tie; until Ronaldinho took matters into his own hands.
Having killed perfectly a cross from the right, the playmaker left his marker for dead with a nonchalant sweep of the right foot before slotting calmly past Henry Lapczyk and starting the celebrations in Rio a few minutes shy of the final whistle. 2-0 to Flamengo, and the place in the first phase 'proper' of the Libertadores that was so desired by the Carioca fans.
Tougher challenges await the Brazilians in the next round, with Paraguayan champions Olimpia as well as Emelec and Lanus their companions in Group 2. If Ronaldinho can maintain the electric form which put them in the next round, however, he will have every chance of leading his team to glory and becoming one of a select group who have won the top title in both Europe and South America.
Cristian Campestrini, Arsenal de Sarandi: The 'keeper put in an outstanding performance to limit Sport Huancayo to one goal, and ensure his side's place in the group stage with a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Pablo Velazquez, Libertad: The highly-rated Paraguayan opened the scoring for the Repolleros after just one minute, setting the scene for a 4-1 triumph which saw them get past El Nacional in Asuncion.
Club: Flamengo
Country: Brazil
Age: 31
Role: Attacking Midfielder
Achievement: Set up one goal and scored another to prevent a humiliating preliminary exit
It is fair to say that former Barcelona and AC Milan idol Ronaldinho did not enjoy the best of times over Brazil's summer break. His brother and agent was embroiled in a very messy, very public dispute with Flamengo over unpaid salaries, while R10 himself attracted the ire of coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo over an alleged reluctance to turn up for early morning training sessions.
| Bet: | Returns: | Flamengo £19.50 | Draw £32.00 | Internacional £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Flamengo £19.09 | Draw £32.50 | Internacional £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Flamengo £20.00 | Draw £32.50 | Internacional £39.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Flamengo £19.40 | Draw £32.50 | Internacional £35.50 |
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Luxa may have surprisingly received his marching orders on Thursday after losing the power struggle, but Ronaldinho and the Fla are very much alive in the Copa Libertadores. A tepid 2-1 defeat away to Real Potosi threatened a disastrous exit at the competition's preliminary stage, until the mercurial No. 10 grabbed hold of the return leg.
A perfectly-weighted free kick in the final minutes of the first-half found the head of Leo Moura to head the Brazilians level, and thanks to the away goal secured in Bolivia put one foot into the group stage. Despite numerous chances, however, Flamengo appeared unable to kill off the tie; until Ronaldinho took matters into his own hands.
Having killed perfectly a cross from the right, the playmaker left his marker for dead with a nonchalant sweep of the right foot before slotting calmly past Henry Lapczyk and starting the celebrations in Rio a few minutes shy of the final whistle. 2-0 to Flamengo, and the place in the first phase 'proper' of the Libertadores that was so desired by the Carioca fans.
Tougher challenges await the Brazilians in the next round, with Paraguayan champions Olimpia as well as Emelec and Lanus their companions in Group 2. If Ronaldinho can maintain the electric form which put them in the next round, however, he will have every chance of leading his team to glory and becoming one of a select group who have won the top title in both Europe and South America.
Cristian Campestrini, Arsenal de Sarandi: The 'keeper put in an outstanding performance to limit Sport Huancayo to one goal, and ensure his side's place in the group stage with a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Pablo Velazquez, Libertad: The highly-rated Paraguayan opened the scoring for the Repolleros after just one minute, setting the scene for a 4-1 triumph which saw them get past El Nacional in Asuncion.
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