Can Ronaldinho and Atletico Mineiro Win the Copa Libertadores Again?

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at Internationaled.org

Published: February 11, 2014

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One of the things that makes the Copa Libertadores so enthralling every season is that fact that it is so hard to predict a winner.

In 2014, however, reigning champions Atletico Mineiro, led by the legendary Ronaldinho, are one of the favorites to win the competition for the second year in a row.

If they could pull off that difficult feat, they would become the first side since Boca Juniors in 2000 and 2001 to win South America's most prestigious club competition in back-to-back seasons.

Signs are positive that Ronaldinho and his Galo side can achieve what would be an impressive double.

Brazilian clubs have dominated the Libertadores in recent years, and Atletico Mineiro remain one of the strongest representatives from that country.

As long as motivation remains strong among the playing group, the side from Belo Horizonte will be tough to beat.

They showed their incredible resilience in last year's final, coming back from a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Olimpia of Paraguay to draw level late in the return fixture and eventually win the cup for the first time.

Atletico pulled off a similar comeback in the semi-finals, downing a powerful Newell's Old Boys side 3-0 at home in the second leg after suffering a 2-0 loss in Rosario. 

As is regularly the case when a club achieves success in South America, some of O Galo's standout talents have been poached since they lifted the trophy on July 24.



The 30-man squad, in fact, has 15 changes from last year's version, though the spine of the first team remains similar.

The biggest name to leave was Bernard, who was sold to Shakhtar Donetsk in August. Another starter who is no longer with the club is left-back Junior Cesar, whose loan spell ended.

Those two have been replaced by Fernandinho (Al-Jazira) and Pedro Botelho (Atletico Paranaense) respectively, though the new recruits wil...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - International Football

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