Atlético Mineiro’s Victor ‘thanks researchers’ after decisive penalty save

Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper Victor has thanked researchers for helping him save the decisive penalty against Newell’s Old Boys and secure his side’s place in the Copa Libertadores final. The Brazilian side overturned a two-goal deficit against the Argentine side, thanks to goals from Bernard and Guilherme, to force a penalty shootout, as extra-time is not […]
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sambafoot_admin
2013-07-11 16:36:00

Atlético Mineiro goalkeeper Victor has thanked researchers for helping him save the decisive penalty against Newell"s Old Boys and secure his side’s place in the Copa Libertadores final.

The Brazilian side overturned a two-goal deficit against the Argentine side, thanks to goals from Bernard and Guilherme, to force a penalty shootout, as extra-time is not played.

Ronaldinho coolly put Atlético ahead with his side’s last penalty before Victor denied former Liverpool winger Maxi Rodriguez as he dived to his left and palmed the spot kick away at full stretch.

“[Rodriguez] had scored two penalties in the shootout against Boca Juniors and he had hit the first in the corner that I went for," Victor told reporters in reference to Newell"s quarter-final win over their fellow Argentine side.

“We have to also thank our researchers for passing that information on to me," the 30-year-old added.

The Brazilian shot-stopper had actually made a stoppage-time penalty save against Mexico’s Tijuana to secure Atlético’s place in the semi-final.

They will meet three-time South American champions Olimpia of Paraguay in the final, which will take place over two legs on July 17 and 24.

Ronaldinho could not hide his emotion after helping the club reach their first ever Libertadores final.

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