[FM21] South America Adventure (Step 4: Paraguay - Club Fernando de la Mora)

[DaNascimento]

September - October 2024

Before we even start the Closing Stage, we have to cope with two serious failures. Especially Peña's long absence hits us hard. But now is the chance for one of the two homegrowns Jonathan Amorín or Vicente Sosa.

Can it be our half-year? Judging by the performances, clearly yes! At Villa Teresa we still have a little difficulty at the beginning, but then the machinery starts to run. The first defeat came at the end of October against Atlético Rentistas. Despite the good team performance, Michael Morandi once again stands out. He scored 10 goals in nine games, four of them against Progreso. The young striker makes his mark on our game. But Mauro Da Luz is also experiencing his second spring and is once again scoring goals or providing reliable assists. 

At the beginning of October, it became clear that it was important to sign a strong number 2. Our number 1 Lucas Ferri was out for several weeks with a hernia. Substitute Gastón Guruceaga did an excellent job. 

We are currently two points behind Peñarol. The direct duel follows on the second last matchday. More drama or can we finally cheer this time?

[DaNascimento]

November 2024

We actually need all our strength for the final spurt, but once again the bad luck of injuries strikes. Matías Peña has just made his debut after a long injury lay-off and will have to take at least six weeks off again. The season is over for him. And with Gonzalo Bueno, we will also be missing an experienced alternative in the coming weeks.

Instead, we are doing well and doing what we have to do to keep our title chances alive - win! We had no problems against the newly promoted Rampla Juniors and won 4:0. We also beat the currently stumbling City Torque 3:1 before the international break.

Then there are failures again. Just in time for Lucas Ferri to be fit again, his replacement Gastón Guruceaga is injured. But even worse is the loss of Diego Ossola, who will now be missing in the decisive phase of the season.

After the international break we are not quite as convincing as before, but fortunately we have Michael Morandi, who decides both games with his goals.

Peñarol dropped points, so the direct duel will probably decide the outcome. What a thriller!

[DaNascimento]

December 2024 (Part 1)

The moment of truth. We meet Peñarol away from home. The winner of the match is the champion of the Closing Stage, so to speak. Unfortunately, the hosts are once again the better team. In the end, the score is 20 goals to 3. We try everything to get at least a point, but shortly before the end Romero scores the much celebrated winner for Peñarol. A bitter evening for us. We again fail to beat Peñarol, who thus pass us and have a two-point lead on the last matchday.

We now need a win against Maldonado on the last matchday. The team has recovered well from the defeat and is almost playing free. In the end, it was Michael Morandi who scored a brace.

We have done our duty and now look forward to the final result between Cerro Largo and Peñarol. And there something unbelievable just happened... 

Peñarol lead 4-1 until injury time and then their nerves got the better of them. Cerro Largo scored an unbelievable three goals in three minutes and actually got a draw. An unbelievable outcome that also has an impact on the standings. We are now level on points with Peñarol at the top of the table and it will come down to a deciding duel. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that in my entire FM career.

 

Closing Stage-Champion-Playoff

So we wanted to use the moment right away. And in the home match, there was another unbelievable outcome that probably tested the nerves of the fans. Peñarol scored 1-2 with fifteen minutes to go, but we came back in the closing minutes and turned the game around with goals from Da Luz and Neris! 

In the second leg, Peñarol's morale was completely broken. Bueno scored his first ever professional goal and then Álvarez scored the final goal against his former club. The Closing Stage is ours! Now it's two more duels against Peñarol for the championship.

Edited January 13, 2023 by DaNascimento

[DaNascimento]

December 2024 (Part 2)

The season finale was coming up. Opening Stage winner Peñarol against Closing Stage winner River Plate. As often as we have played each other in the last few weeks, this is almost a new rivalry. 

The first leg again started with a damper. Peñarol took the lead after just two minutes through a penalty. Shortly before the break, however, Michael Morandi was on the spot once again and equalised. An enormously important moment. We were better in the second half and after just over an hour it was Morandi again who made it 2-1. Game turned around! Leonel Viera was then sent off with a yellow card, but we managed to hold on to the lead with ten men.

 

The second leg started like the first leg, only this time we took the lead after two minutes through Mauro Da Luz. Afterwards, Michael Morandi increased the score to 2:0, again shortly before the break. After the change of ends, Torres was able to reduce the score for Peñarol, but when Da Luz scored the 3:1 after 77 minutes, all dams broke. But the joy was short-lived. Just one minute later, Peñarol were back in the game and even managed to equalise shortly before the end. The last few minutes were a strain on the nerves of all the spectators, but in the end it was a draw and we are indeed champions!

 

Uruguay completed 

 

End of the year table

[DaNascimento]

Season-End-Review

What a player Michael Morandi is. That is why it is almost a joke that Jorge Rocco was awarded Rookie of the year.

 

Team

I must honestly admit that I am almost a little sad to leave this team. A team full of potential that, if you continue on this path, can become a top Uruguayan team in the long run. I am excited to see where the path will take these talents and will continue to follow them. I don't really want to single out anyone from the championship team, but there's no getting around Michael Morandi. 37 goals in 38 games and that at the age of 18. Jorge Rocco was also convincing in his first professional season. But also more experienced players like Pablo Neris, Mauro Da Luz, Agustín Ale or Lucas Ferri had a very strong season and were the key to success. 

 

Copa Libertadores

Another brazilian thing...

 

Copa Sudamericana

Just when I leave, the Uruguayan league takes a leap forward. For the Chilean league it goes further down. It has already lost four places in the last two years.

 

The journey continues. Let's see which country it takes us to next.

[DaNascimento]

Job-Hunt

These are the jobs available. Sporting Cristal and Club Guarani are eliminated for the time being, as both have been champions several times. The trip will therefore probably take us to Ecuador or Peru.

First come, first serve.

okey, we continue in Peru.

[DaNascimento]

 

From Montevideo, the journey continues to Peru in the direction of Cusco. The Club Cienciano is based there. The club was founded as a university team in 1901. The first members were students of the Colegio Nacional Ciencias del Cusco. In the beginning, the club mainly participated in regional championships and competitions. In 1973, it took part in the national title competitions for the first time. Nationally, the club has not yet had any real successes. However, it was the first and only club from Peru to win the Copa Sudamericana in 2003 (in the final against River Plate). This was followed in 2004 by victory over Boca Juniors to win the South American Super Cup, the Recopa Sudamericana.

The club did not do too badly in the last few seasons. In 2022 they finished third, in 2023 fifth and last season they only finished 13th.

The home matches are played in the Estadio Garcilaso de la Vega, built in 1950.

 

The Team

Well, if we take a look at the squad, I mourn the good starting position at River Plate. There is hardly any young talent, the squad is unbalanced and there is no money either. It's going to be one hell of a task this time. To make matters worse, we are allowed to register a maximum of five foreigners, but there are hardly any affordable or useful Peruvians on the market.

 

The League

Honestly, don't ask. I also have to get an overview first. We are back to a similarly weird system as in Venezuela, as it shows me two champions per year. I really miss Uruguay already.

[DaNascimento]

We had to broaden the squad a bit and bring in more quality. Kawã, Soto, Rabanal and López are earmarked for the starting eleven.

 

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February - March 2025

In February, the Opening Stage began. In this stage, you meet each opponent once, but the teams are divided into two groups, of which the first two finishers play the winner at the end.

Surprisingly for me, we start very well and only lose once in the first six games. In the first elimination round of the Copa Sudamericana, we meet league rivals Sports Boys. In the first leg, we manage to score a narrow victory.

[DaNascimento]

April - June 2025

We showed absolutely inconsistent and fluctuating performances in the Opening Stage. But no wonder, the squad is far too thin and with several injuries we are running on our last reserve. But we can't change that much, because we don't have the money for new players. Nevertheless, we finish the Opening Stage in third place in our group. Quite a good result.

 

Copa Sudamericana

Actually, we should not have qualified at all with this thin squad, because we are absolutely not competitive. Nevertheless, we are happy to take the money. On the pitch, however, we were mostly extras in the six games. In the first two games we can still keep up surprisingly well, but after that it gets bad. In Argentina, we even manage to win a point, but on the last matchday, São Paulo shows us the limits.

[DaNascimento]

July - August 2025

We bring a new striker into the team and change the tactics back to the tried and tested 4-2-4.

We sold two old and overpaid players to the Emirates to relieve the salary budget a little.

We start well and offensively strong into the Closing Stage. We have five wins out of the eight games. The new tactics seem to fit and with Matheus Babi we have brought a goal-oriented striker into the team.

Third place and only two points behind the first-placed team. 

The Peruvian Cup is also played in the summer. Here, the teams first play in a group of four, with the top two in each group qualifying for the knockout round. We manage to win our group, but then fail in the second round against Deportivo Municipal.

[DaNascimento]

September - October 2025

Matheus Babi was a steal. With his six goals, he almost single-handedly carries us through the two months and to four wins from the six games. I didn't think the team could compete so well in the Closing Stage. We are the first team to follow leaders Cusco. Three games to go.

[DaNascimento]

November 2025

Well, the signing of Matheus Babi was a brilliant move. He's also scored three goals in the last three games to give us two wins. But we still can't catch up with leaders Cusco.

But either way, the table is just wastepaper. This is where the Peruvian system really gets going. The four best-ranked teams now decide on the champion in a play-off mode. We can even choose whether we want to play at home or away first. I've never seen anything like that before. Anyway, we will now meet Melgar.

[DaNascimento]

December 2025

 

Playoff-Semifinal

Away from home we draw 2:2. Once again, our two Brazilian goal machines save us. Meanwhile, Cusco destroys Sporting Cristal 7:2.

Matheus Babi is our key to the final. There we are now outsiders against Cusco.

 

Playoff-Final

A defeat at home. We lead, but then concede three goals in five minutes. The quick connection keeps our chances alive. Nevertheless, the starting position for the second leg is not very optimal.

And then this happens in the return match. Cusco can't get anything going and Kawã puts us on course for the championship with an early brace. After Ugarriza's 3:0 at the latest, all the dams burst.

Yes, I don't really know how we managed to do it - thanks to the dodgy mode of the Peruvian league - but I'll gladly take the title anyway. So the adventure in Peru ends sooner than expected.

14 points less than Cusco, but we are champions. I don't want to complain, but I remember why I don't want playoffs in football.

[DaNascimento]

Season-End-Review

I don't know when the last time was that I finished a season without a red card.

 

Team

This success is difficult to put into words, but I'll try using the five team pillars.

Mariano Arzamendia was a strong back who single-handedly saved us some points. On the right wing, Leandro Suhr made a damn strong season with 11 goals and 10 assists. And then we come to the attackers. Gustavo Kawã had to move to the left wing after the arrival of Matheus Babi, but showed even better form there. Babi arrived in the summer and scored a staggering 15 goals in the Closing Stage. But that was not enough to make him the top scorer. This title was won by fan favourite Adrián Ugarriza, who contributed 20 goals and 8 assists to the title.

 

Copa Libertadores

Another year, another brazilian winner.

 

Copa Sudamericana

Also brazilian dominance.

 

no big chances here.

 

We have now won three of the ten titles. Time for the next task.

 

[DaNascimento]

Job-Hunt

New year and we are already looking for jobs again.

There were not so many available that would be eligible for us. Several invitations followed, but the teams were either in too high a league for the moment (São Paulo) or like the Chilean clubs already multiple champions.

Therefore, I focused on one of the available teams and waited until their invitation was accepted - and then it went quickly again.

So, off to Paraguay!

[DaNascimento]

Club Fernando de la Mora is located in Asuncion, the capital city of Paraguay. 

The association has not yet had any successes. In the save's first season, 2020, it managed promotion to the Copa Primera. Since then, it has been languishing there. Last season, they finished 8th in both the opening and closing stages.

The home games are played in the tranquil Estadio Emiliano Ghezzi. I'm not including a picture this time and refer you to the YouTube video.

 

The Team

A huge squad and in the end only 30 players can be nominated. At least the transfer window is open until the end of March, because there is still a lot of work waiting for us.

At least we've come back to a club with good youth work. Especially on the offensive side, there are some talented players who I will be happy to develop further. I'm paying particular attention to the strikers Blas Quintana and Abel González. But I can also work with talents like Darío Pérez, Daniel Roa or Juan Olmedo. However, we need to upgrade our defence in particular. The goal will also be to find a partner club so that we can loan out the superfluous players.

 

The League

After all - no playoffs! In normal league play there will be an opening and a closing stage.  Each opponent is played twice in each season. The winner of each stage is crowned champion. The championship title is distributed twice a year in Paraguay.

 

[DaNascimento]

As I said, we had to step up our game, especially defensively. The left defence is completely new with Joel Jímenez and Néstor Giménez. These are not long-term or top-quality solutions, but they are okay for short-term planning. For the central defence, we were able to sign the Argentine Gonzalo Luján, who is out of contract. A player with great quality and strengths in aerial combat. We are also making improvements on the wings. We loaned Julio Enciso from our league rivals Club Libertad and landed a bargain with Carlos Daniel.

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Fortunately, the club agreed to find a partner club, so we were able to park some players we couldn't register there.

 

Tactically, we stick to the 4-2-4, the tactic that has led us to three titles now. It also suits the team perfectly. We have a really strong goalkeeper in Zenobio. One who excels in important games and consistently delivers his performances. Just what a mediocre club needs at the back.

Spoiler

In midfield, we have a strong homegrown player in Galíndez. His development is certainly not yet complete, but he could become our man in the centre in the future.

Spoiler

But what I like best is our forward duo. Quintana and González fit together perfectly up front. González is the perfect target man. A brawny guy who wins the aerial duels and Quintana is a deadly enforcer.

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[DaNascimento]

January - February 2026

Mixed feelings at the start. In the first match against Guaraní, I was not yet in charge. But the start under me was also difficult. It quickly became clear that the team needed time and new players. So we only scored one point and lost three games in the first four matches. The low point followed with the 0:4 defeat against Club Nacional. By then I was already worried and had the feeling that it would only last a short time with Fernando. But after that, the players had slowly learned our tactics and the two attackers were finally in a scoring mood. Blas Quintana scored a brace against Club Sol de América on the sixth matchday to give us our first win. The long wait was over. Even though the next defeat came a few days later against Luqueño. The 5:2 win over Cerro Porteño was the first sign of success, which was confirmed with a 5:1 win over Club Libertad. Once again, Blas Quintana was the outstanding player, scoring four goals!

Not the best start, but we are slowly starting to catch up.

[DaNascimento]

March - April 2026

After the bad start, we can definitely catch ourselves in March. The tactics are working and the team is finally delivering. Blas Quintana in particular is having the time of his life. He scores in almost every game and is a cornerstone of our success. In general, the Paraguayan league seems a bit strange. We win against heavyweights like Club Olimpia or Club Nacional, but are then dispatched by Sportivo Luqueño 2:6.

Unfortunately, we don't qualify for the Copa Sudamericana. We lose to Club Nacional on penalties. 

Three games left to play and it looks like we could achieve our best ever finish.

[DaNascimento]

May 2026

Not a good end to the Opening Stage. We lose clearly against River Plate and Club Libertad. At least we managed a big win against Octuobre on the final day. Quintana contributed another hat trick. In the end, we finish in fourth place - which is also the club's best ranking ever. So we can actually be very satisfied with the first half of the year at the new location.

[DaNascimento]

June - July 2026

Between mid-May and mid-July, play in the Paraguayan league is suspended. In between, the first cup round is played. We meet the amateur team Horqueteña, with whom we have no trouble and win 4:0. In between, we test ourselves against local clubs. The matches are more a balm for self-confidence than matches against real opponents.

We open the Closing Stage with an away game at Club Guaraní. And there we can put a first exclamation mark right away. Even though the game is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Blas Quintana gives us the lead after just three minutes. However, it only lasts for two minutes. After 34 minutes, Abel González scored and we were in the lead again, but Guaraní came back two minutes later. It stayed that way for a long time until Ramón Sosa put us ahead again after 72 minutes. This time, however, it stays that way and we bring home the three points. 

The second matchday against CS San Lorenzo was similarly chaotic. This time the visitors take the lead after two minutes, but two minutes later Blas Quintana is on the spot and equalises. After that, San Lorenzo takes a 1:3 lead, but Quintana is able to score the equaliser shortly before the break.  After the break, however, San Lorenzo scored again and restored the old gap. The gap lasted until the 74th minute, when Blás Ortigoza scored again. The hope lasted only four minutes, however, and San Lorenzo went 3:5 ahead. However, our team comes back again. Ariel Melgarejo scored in the 88th minute to make it 4:5 and in the 92nd minute Abel González equalised. What a crazy game - and even one for the record books! 

The match against Club Olimpia was less nerve-wracking and more enjoyable. We led 2-1 at the break, but had to concede defeat 4-2 after a weak second half. 

 

[DaNascimento]

August 2026

Mixed feelings at the start. We win narrowly against Sportivo Trinidense and lose clearly against Club Nacional. Then we played the amateur team Atlético Colegiales in the second cup round - a game for the history books. 12:4 is the final result! I don't know what surprises me more: that we scored a dozen goals or that we give the opponent another three goals at 8:1 with ten minutes to go?

Blas Quintana even missed a penalty in the 91st minute, before Rodrigo Peralta scored twice more in the last two minutes. Several records were broken in this match and Peralta's five goals have already surpassed Blas Quintana's four-goal record, which is also still young.

The league continued on a high note with a 4:3 victory over Sol de América. Once again with a late winning goal. This time in the 91st minute by Agustín Galíndez. The following two victories, 3:0 over Luqueño and 2:1 at Cerro Porteño, were almost boring.

[DaNascimento]

September 2026

It goes on with a lot of goals. In the first match of the month, we beat River Plate 4-0. In the cup we have considerable problems. Against the second division team Atyrá FC, we were 2-0 down until shortly before the end, but then managed to equalise in the remaining minutes. In extra time, we finally scored the winning goal. We got away with a black eye.

In the league, we managed a narrow win against Club Libertad before scoring five goals again against Octubre. Finally, against Guaraní, there was a remis.

We salute you from the top!

[DaNascimento]

October 2026

It still runs smoothly! In the cup we meet the second division team Capiatá, which allows us to rotate a bit. So it is also substitute Arnaldo Fernández who sends us into the semi-finals with a brace!

In the league, the engine stutters. We only get one point against San Lorenzo. But then the team picks up again. In the top match, we beat Clube Olimpia 2:0 at home! This is followed by a 6:2 victory over Sportivo Trinidense. Midfielder Blás Ortigoza scores a hat-trick. And away at Club Nacional, we earn another important three points! Disillusionment, however, against Sol de América. We took the lead in the first minute, but failed to follow up. So the guests come back into the game late and turn it around. This loss of points can still hurt us a lot. 

Still first, but head to head with Clube Olimpia. 5 games to go!

 

Youth Intake

maybe we got here some paraguayan stars from tomorrow?

[DaNascimento]

November - December 2026

Right at the beginning of the month, the cup semi-final against San Lorenzo was on the agenda. A brace from Niccolò Carrano took us to the final! 

In the league, the last few match days were less satisfying. Against Luqueño we squandered a 3:1 lead in the last six minutes. We were able to beat Cerro Porteño, but then we lost two close games against River Plate and Club Libertad, which put us out of the championship race. Even the victory on the last matchday did us no good.

In between, the cup final took place. And even though the omens were bad, as we were missing two important players, González and Ortigoza, the team brought the cup home!

About the game: Pérez and Cáceres scored a double early on. After the break, however, Olimpia came back and equalised within three minutes (50th + 53rd). The momentum was stopped abruptly, however, as Melluso was sent off after 64 minutes. We then took the reins again and Galíndez scored the much-celebrated winner five minutes before the end. The club thus wins the first important title in its history!

[DaNascimento]

Season-End-Review

Blas Quintana with an excellent season. He set a new club record with 39 goals.

 

The Team

I am very happy with the first year at Fernando. For a team that was thought to have very little chance, we did more than well. 4th place, 2nd place and the cup win - it's probably the best season in the club's history. And I think there's more possible if you look at the potential of the team.

Goal
Zenobio is an excellent keeper and will also be our number one next season. Uliambre, on the other hand, will leave us, his contract expires.

Defence
Rodi Ferreira is set on the right. Fabián Franco is his replacement. On the left, Giménez and Jiménez rotate, but we are looking for a better alternative. In central defence, Manenti and Luján played the most games. Behind them we have the home-grown Olmedo and Melgarejo. The veterans Ortiz and Barrientos will leave us. 

Midfield
Ortigoza and Galíndez were the duo in the centre. Fernández and Miers are their replacements. Carrano and Roa are very talented, but unfortunately their position does not exist in our system, so both had to be used in other positions.

Wings
On the left, Cáceres, Morínigo and loanee Enciso alternated. Next season, however, only Cáceres will still be in the squad, which is why replacements are being sought here. Bustamante was left out and will not have a chance next season. Carlos Daniel was the main man on the right and contributed ten assists and five goals. Bogado and Sosa had a hard time keeping up with these numbers. But we are well positioned here.

Forward
This is where we have the most talent. Quintana, González, Pérez and Peralta could all play in the starting eleven. But no one has come close to Quintana's performance this year. Together with González, he formed a perfect duo.

 

Copa Libertadores

I don't think, that I need to mention, that Brazilian teams won the two competitions.

Copa Sudamericana

 

Ecuador, Uruguay and Paraguay lost a place. Chile is back in the top 4.

 

Former Clubs

Trujillanos has had a good season. They made the playoffs in both the opening and closing stages. In the playoffs, they reached the semi-finals in the Opening Stage, but in the Closing Stage they were eliminated in the quarter-finals.

 

It is a pity to see that Atlético River Plate could not take advantage of the good work and starting position and carry it on. The club has not had a good season. They finished the Opening Stage in 6th place. In the Closing Stage, they only managed 7th place. Internationally, they failed to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana against Liverpool FC.

 

ADFP Club Cienciano was also unable to continue the fairytale from the previous season. They only finished the Closing Stage in a disappointing eleventh place. In the Copa Libertadores, the qualifiers ended in the first games against Atlético Nacional.

[DaNascimento]

Transfers 2027

Four new players are coming in for free. Jorge Cardozo is another striker where we didn't have a need, but to get such a player for free - you don't have to think twice. José Quintana is earmarked for one of the two centre-back positions. Gabriel Fuentes for the right-backs and Enrique Vera comes on loan for the box-to-box position in midfield.

 

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The Team

Edited January 20, 2023 by DaNascimento

[DaNascimento]

January - February 2027

We are off to a good start in the new season. We won all of our first four games and once again proved to be accurate in front of goal. It was not until the fifth matchday at home against Clube Olimpia that we suffered our first defeat.

We face Independiente from Ecuador in the Copa Libertadores qualifiers. After winning the first leg 3:0, we almost lose the good starting position in the second leg. After Rodrigo Peralta scored early on to give us the lead, we still manage to score four goals and narrowly advance.

In the meantime, we had lost for the second time in the league. Guaraní also gave us four goals. But we had as few problems with Rubio Ñu as we did in the last qualifying round for the Copa Libertadores against Provincial from Chile. 

We face River Plate, Vasco da Gama and Quito in the Copa Libertadores. A though group.

Place 6 is not what makes us happy, but we have a few games less.

[DaNascimento]

March - April 2027

In March and April, there was a lot of one thing in particular: goals.

It started with a 5:1 victory over Santaní, followed by a 4:3 win over Cerro Porteño and a 4:4 against Club Nacional. The 1:1 against Luqueño, on the other hand, was almost boring, before a 6:1 victory over Club Libertad rounded off the month. 

In the Copa Libertadores, unfortunately, things did not go quite as smoothly. We started with a narrow defeat against Vasco da Gama. In Ecuador, we could only manage a goalless draw and against River Plate we had no chance.

 

In April, things really got going. The beginning was still restrained but enormously important: 2:1 victory against leaders Clube Olimpia. After that, there were 20 goals in two games! Against Rubio Ñu, we were leading 5:2 before we made the game exciting again towards the end. Against Guaraní, an eleven-goal thriller ensued, in which the leads alternated constantly, but we were able to score the decisive goal in the 84th minute through Dario Pérez. This was followed by a win over San Lorenzo and a draw against Sol de América.

In the Copa Libertadores, we scored a surprise win against River Plate. Against Quito, we again only managed a draw. We are now three points ahead of the Ecuadorians before the last matchday.

We were able to fight our way up to second place. With two games less, we are now six points behind Olimpia.

[DaNascimento]

May 2027

Well, in the end, unfortunately, we didn't manage to make up the six points. We did our homework at the beginning, with a 3:2 victory over Sol de América, but then followed a mammoth programme that was too difficult. Due to the Copa Libertadores, we had to make up some games and were scheduled to play four games in eight days. Pretty unfair. The team was running on fumes and we had a few injuries. As a result, we dropped five points against River Plate. We got back on track with two wins at the end, but it wasn't enough to win the title. Three points made the difference in the end. If I had known that at the beginning of the Opening Stage, we probably would have given up the Copa Libertadores. Because that probably cost us the title in the end.

Three points were missing at the end - the points we squandered against River Plate at the end. It's bitter.

Third place means progressing to the Copa Sudamericana.