CUCA OVERWHELMED BY COPA VICTORY

Atletico Mineiro coach Cuca says his
team "did everything right" to seal
victory against Olimpia in the Copa
Libertadores final.
Playing at their Minerao home, the
Brazilian club overturned a 2-0 first-leg
deficit thanks to goals from Jo and
Leonardo Silva - the latter coming with
just three minutes of normal time
remaining.
And they went on to convert four penalties in the shootout after extra-time while
their Paraguayan opposition netted just twice, to seal South America's premier cup
competition for the first time in their history.
Cuca has subsequently hailed the resilience and belief shown by his side, citing the
numerous obstacles they had to overcome on the way to victory.
"We've managed the first-leg defeat quite well - as we did against Newell's (Old
Boys) as well. We worked our emotional side during the week keeping everybody
positive and faithful," he said.
"We did everything right. But the match was really tense because we are all human
beings. We had the obligation of getting this trophy for the first time. So we couldn't
play the final naturally with patience."
The 50-year-old also explained that the club's historic achievement has not yet sunk
in.
"Today Atletico is a winning club. No one can say the opposite. Especially after all
we've been through in this competition," he added.
"We saved a penalty kick in the 93rd minute (of the quarter-final win over Tijuana),
we won in shootouts, we lost 2-0 in two first legs including in the final, so today this
changed.
"We have changed a club history. A century (old) club that now is a lucky club. And
so am I. We haven't realised this achievement yet. It is too much. We are all numb at
this moment. But we have to be thankful."