CONMEBOL hurdles to avoid Cruz Azul title in Copa Libertadores

June 28 this year marks 20 years since then blue cross was about to be crowned in Editor’s Cup. Mexico was still part of a competition CONMEBOL And the cement team, led at the time Jose Luis Trejo, surprised both locals and outsiders with a performance that is celebrated today as one of the greatest milestones in Mexican football history.

The Heavenly Path of the Contest was not a ‘Path of Roses’. In fact, from the same organization they took it upon themselves to put hundreds of obstacles in place so that a group outside CONMEBOL would not represent the continent in Intercontinental Cup. Nicholas Lewis, the head of the organization at the time, confirmed that a team outside South America would not play against Real Madrid To get the title of Intercontinental.

Jose Saturnino Cardoso He was one of the heroes of this feat. The Paraguayan striker arrived as a boost for Cruz Azul and wrapped up some engagements that made the team an “offer” to keep Guarani at the end of the loan. And Satan himself is the one who counted three stones That CONMEBOL set up La Maquina to prevent him from becoming a champion.

In the duel before River PlateAlready in the final stage of the tournament, Cruz Azul was forced to train in an alternative field to the team’s field millionaire. In addition, the room in which the practice was conducted does not have enough light, so the visibility on that day made training a lost afternoon.

Some gas and lock

against Rosario Central There was also a “black hand”. The driver responsible for taking the team to the opposing stadium changed direction and the players were intercepted by the Canala fans. “When we went to Rosario, the driver wanted to take us the other way, we arrived a little later, left a hundred meters and We ran between the eggs and the gargoyles and the curses the bar threw at you, we got to the dressing room and it was locked with a padlock And we went out to warm up later than expected.”Cardoso told La Afición of the Milenio newspaper.

Already in the final against Boca JuniorsThe match had to be interrupted with tear gas and constant intimidation of Cruz Azul players. However, Trejo’s men overcame all the setbacks and took the final on penalties, with the lottery going to the home team.