Penarol defeated but coach still proud of his team – Copa Libertadores news
Former Sao http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Aguirre, expressed delight at his team’s outstanding show during the second-leg of the Copa Libertadores final against Santos. Penarol went on to lose the game by a 2-1 margin but to qualify for the final was a massive achievement
in itself as the Gold and Blacks weren’t even considered favourites at the start of the competition.
Santos had the home advantage and were favourites to overhaul their opponents in the final played on Wednesday, June 22. The first leg, played in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Uruguay-c3035, ended in a 0-0 draw.
Aguirre was pleased to see the fighting spirit and congratulated http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Neymar-c27639
in the 46th minute which was doubled by the 19-year-old, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Durval-c11726 da Silva own goal in the 79th minute. There were no further twists as Santos completed a hard-fought
win over the five time Copa Libertadores champions.
Aguirre believes that his team were really competitive throughout the first half and hailed the back four for staying firm under immense pressure. The manager admitted the fact that Santos seemed a completely different outfit in the second half and that
early Neymar strike caused a bit of concern in Penarol ranks.
The 45-year-old further added, "We controlled the first half, we played a good match. But that goal was key. Santos found its game and ended deserving the win. We couldn't find a goal, it was very hard, Santos is a great team and we couldn't comeback, but
I'm very proud of my players."
Aguirre previously won the same competition as a player in 1987, where he scored in the final against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 de Cali, and was in hunt of a second title, this time as a manager.
He vowed to carry his team one step ahead during the upcoming season and was delighted at Penarol’s fight against the opponents in their own back yard.
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