25/06/2008 02:37 | Goal.com
Copa Libertadores Final Preview: Liga Deportiva Universitaria (Ecuador)
– Fluminense (Brazil) When: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 Where: La Casa
Blanca, Quito (Ecuador)
Striving To Make History
Neither of the two finalists have reached the final of the Copa
Libertadores before, but while Brazilian clubs have a number of titles
to their name, not a single club from Ecuador have ever won the title.
In-fact Barcelona of Guayaquil have been the only club to reach the
decider, having lost the final in both of their appearances. Liga
goalkeeper Jose Francisco Cevallos was on the losing side when Barcelona
faced Vasco da Gama in the final of 1998.
LDU Quito will do their utmost to change this negative statistic, and
they seem more than capable of winning the title for the very first time
after 13 attempts. The 49th edition of the Copa Libertadores could
finally go Ecuador's way.
The Ecuadorean giants impressed en route to the final. They finished in
second position in the group stage, incidentally, having lost the group
to final opponents Fluminense; they drew 0-0 in Quito, and the
Brazilians went on to win 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro. Liga demonstrated their
attacking capabilities in a 6-1 thrashing of Copa Sudamericana champions
Arsenal de Sarandi of Argentina.
In-fact the local press has branded them as the "Argentine Killers"
after having knocked off Estudiantes La Plata in the round of sixteen,
and San Lorenzo in the quarter-finals, before defeating Club America of
Mexico in the semi-finals. Liga are the back-bone of the Ecuadorean
national team which held Argentina to a 1-1 draw in a 2010 World Cup
qualifier in Buenos Aires just over a week ago. This pretty much sums up
the depth they have at their disposal.
106 Year Wait Finally Over?
For years now clubs from Rio de Janeiro have had a huge rivalry, but
until now Flamengo and Vasco da Gama have been the only one's to be
crowned champions of the Copa Libertadores. Fluminense and Botafogo have
stood in their shadows all this time, but this is finally Fluminense's
opportunity to make a difference.
Flu come into the championship decider as the favourites, not only
because of the tradition of Brazilian clubs in the competition, but
because they knocked out South American giants Sao Paulo and Boca
Juniors on their way to the final. Their victory over Boca Juniors was
particularly impressive.
Not only did they manage to beat the reigning South American champions,
but they did so in emphatic fashion. After holding Boca to a 2-2 draw in
Avellaneda, Buenos Aires, they went on to win the return leg 3-1 at a
packed Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It was a sensational
performance from Renato Gaucho's side.
This is without doubt the biggest game in Fluminense's 106 year history.
They may have won the Brazilian national championship back in 1984, but
when it comes to South American football nothing compares to winning the
Copa Libertadores.
With the likes of Dario Conca, Thiago Neves, Washington and Dodo
Fluminense have all the right ingredients to win the title. The Flu fans
are confident that their side will clinch the title, and the expectation
before the match is huge, as all 69,000 tickets available to the general
public were sold out in less than four hours, breaking the official
record time set. But it will be worth it, as when the second leg
commences there will be almost 100,000 roaring fans at the Maracana.
However, Flu don't come into the match in the best form. Despite using
several alternative sides, they have struggled of late and are currently
rock-bottom of the 20-team Brazilian league.
TEAM NEWS
Liga de Quito
Edgardo Bauza has confirmed he will put out the exact same team who
eliminated Club America in the semi-finals a few weeks ago. He has
rested his key players for the crucial match, and no-one comes into the
match with any injuries. It is an ideal situation for the Ecuadorean
champions.
Probable Starting XI: Jose Cevallos, Jairo Campos, Norberto Araujo,
Diego Armando Calderon, Joffre Guerron, Enrique Vera, Patricio Urrutia,
Paul Ambrossi, Luis Bolanos, Damian Manso and Claudio Bieler. Coach:
Edgardo Bauza.
Fluminense
Flu's only concern is a leg injury to striker Washington. If he doesn't
make it in time he will be replaced by Dodo. The tricky attacker has
been a great help for Fluminense coming from the substitute's bench, but
he finally may get an opportunity to impress from the kick-off.
Probable Starting XI: Fernando Henrique, Luiz Alberto, Gabriel, Thiago
Silva, Junior Cesar, Ygor, Arouca, Thiago Neves, Dario Conca, Cicero and
Washington. Coach: Renato Gaucho.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liga de Quito – Joffre Guerron
The 23-year-old is Liga's most dangerous player when it comes to
attacking down the flanks. He owns the right side of the field whenever
he is playing, and his speed and determination has earned him praises
all around the continent. He is also difficult to knock to the ground,
and the Ecuador international is hoping to win a title before joining
Getafe of Spain.
Fluminense – Thiago Neves
The inspiration of the team. Thiago Neves has proved his quality
throughout the competition, and the left-footed player was the main
reason why Flu were able to overcome Boca Juniors. He is a technically
gifted player, with a great temperament and a venomous shot. Several top
clubs around Europe are after his signature, so Thiago Neves will be
determined to make one final impact with Flu.
PREDICTION
It is likely to be an evenly matched contest between two teams who have
been extremely solid in the Copa Libertadores so far. Liga should
dominate, particularly at the beginning of the match, while Fluminense
will try to break them down on the counterattack.
Expect a passionate encounter that is likely to be won by a single goal.
Despite the 2,850 altitude, Flu have enough options to snatch a positive
result from Quito, before closing in on the title at the legendary
Maracana stadium. But remember, away goals don't count.
Liga de Quito 2-1 Fluminense
Gregory Sica
--
Cavaliere
AC Milan atau tidak sama sekal!
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