April 2005
After hearing Enzo's concerns I decided to give the team a well deserved albeit brief period of time off. This was going to be an even longer year when you take into account our involvement in the Copa Libertadores. Our first game of April was the first leg of the state semi final against América (MG). After failing to make the semi's last season, América went on to claim third place this year and were in buoyant mood as we travelled to Independência. They generally sat back in the first half and tried to hit us on the break. Our defence weathered most of their attacks until Ricardo finally found a breach in our defence and poked the ball home with less than ten minutes of the first half remaining. The crowd were almost like a twelth player for them and yet again I felt as though we would be on our way. Wágner managed to equalise with a well placed shot on 52 minutes only to see André Figueiredo put America back in front after two minutes. That was the way it stayed as América took the advantage going into the second leg.
I was already feeling the tension that I had only experienced towards the end of last season and we were only in April. We were on the verge of elimination from two competitions, one of them vital. Our next game was a must win, from the outset I had said the key to the group was getting six points from Alianza Lima and I had turned out to be right. Assuming Boca would beat America (MEX), a victory here would give us a huge advantage of the Mexicans and taking goal difference into account a win might not be needed against Boca. At least our two remaining group games were at home and we would not have to travel around for a while. Whilst we prepared for the visit of the Peruvians, the first division kicked off. Most notably Corinthians and Palmeiras kicked off their respective campaigns with victories, as did newly promoted Avai.
Around 15,000 turned up to see a resounding 4-1 victory that involved a brace for Fred. Elsewhere Boca qualified in style with a 4-0 victory against America to ensure that they had some goalscoring to do if they were to still qualify. In between that victory and the return leg of the state semi, Under 20 goalkeeper Gatti moved out on loan to Alegrense to gain some experience. I didn't field a nearly strong enough side for the return leg. I decided that I needed to sacrifice the tournament, even though it would mean one less game (a game that would take it out of the players, being against Atletico). We lost 1-0 and 3-1 on aggregate, the players were to eager to play Boca to care about the state championships. After all having won it 33 times, the 34th success can wait.
Paysandu made an offer for want away midfelder Kelly, 1.2 million would go nicely towards funding another striker or goalkeeper. We kicked off the league defence away to Botafogo. I employed a new tactical system that I thought benefited our new strengths. A 0-0 draw was all we came away with. We exacted our revenge on Boca with a 3-0 victory that sealed our qualification. We would now face Uruguayans Nacional in the second round. Kelly signed for Paysandu and America (MG) lifted the state championship, seeing Mineiro defeated brought a wry smile to my face. Unfortunately our form was dwindling aswell as we rounded off the month with another 0-0 draw with Guarani.
Transfers
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** **************************Out********************* ************************************************** *****Gatti Alegrense LoanKelly Paysandu £1,200,000</pre>
Results
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre"> ************************************************** ************************************************** ****************************************America (MG) 1-2 Minas Gerais Semi Leg 1 Wagner Alianza Lima 4-1 C.L. Group B Fred (2), Edu Dracena, Augusto RecifeAmerica (MG) 0-1 (1-3 agg.) Minas Gerais Semi Leg 2Botafogo 0-0 First DivisionBoca 3-0 C.L. Group B Wagner (2), Augusto RecifeGuarani 0-0 First Division****************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************</pre>
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