Atletico Mineiro scored a priceless away win in their Recopa Sudamerica first leg match with Argentinian side Lanus last night, taking a 1-0 lead into the competition’s second match on July 23.
Brazilian striker Diego Tardelli, who helped Mineiro win the Libertadores last season, got the game’s only goal after 66 minutes on a night when Ronaldinho was taken off at half time as an injury precaution.
The Recopa, which features a two-legged set-up between the current holders of both the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamerica, was started in 1988 and neither team has won it before.
Mineiro’s hectic schedule now sees them face Bahia in the Brasileirao this in two days’ time before hosting Lanus on Thursday knwing that a draw would be enough to see them lift the Recopa Sudamerica for the first time.
