Copa Libertadores Final, Second Leg: Internacional Stakes 2-1 Lead Against Chivas, Brazil’s Finals Streak
Excuse Internacional for being rude guests, but last week in Jalisco, the Brazilian club was in no mood to celebrate the opening of Guadalajara's new stadium. In Chivas's first competitive match at Estadio Omnilife, Inter got goals from Giuliano and Bolivar, turning around Bofo Bautista's goal just before half time, giving the Brazilian club a 2-1, first leg lead.
In a Copa Libertadores history that extends back to 1960, only one team has lost a final after winning the first leg on the road. In 2002, São Caetano, currently in Brazil’s Serie B, took a 1-0 in Asuncion thanks to Ailton’s second half goal against Olimpia. Back in Brazil, another goal from the midfielder put Big Blue up two only to see the Paraguayans take the Copa on the back of two second half goals and a shootout victory.
Instead of 2002, Inter is hoping for a repeat of 2006. That was the last year a Brazilian club won Libertadores. That Brazilian club? Inter, though others have tried in the interim. In 2007, it was Gremio. Then, Fluminense, and last year it was Cruziero. The last two years, the Brazilian club has been the favorite, though in each final, Brazil’s entrant had the second leg at home. All lost.
If Brazil's recent disappointments in Libertadores paint a mixed picture of Inter's prospects, Mexico's history in the competition is even less flattering. No Mexican team has even won Libertadores. The only team to even make it to the final is Cruz Azul, who faced Boca Juniors in 2001. Boca won the first leg 1-0 at Estadio Azteca only to lose by the same score at the Bombanera. Penalty kicks were La Maquina's undoing, losing the shootout 3-1.
If Chivas is to improve on that finish, they'll need big matches from a core of players who have been around long enough to have featured in that match. Omar Bravo and Bautista are 30 and 31, while goalkeeper Luis Michel is also 31. Jonny Magallon, Alberto Medina and Hector Reynoso are all at least 27. Each should play roles in tonight's match.
Inter, on the other hand, will be fueled by youth, particularly in midfield. As this will be Bravo's last match with Chivas before moving to the Kansas City Wizards, so it will be 21-year-old midfielder Sandro's final Inter appearance before joining Tottenham in England. Guiliano, who will share the midfield with Sandro, is only 20. Striker Taison is 22. They augment the veterans: Alecsandro, Andres D'Alessandro in attack; Kleber and captain Bolivar at the back.
It’s a group that eliminated the defending champions (Estudiantes) in the quarters, São Paulo in the semis. They enter tonight favored to hold-off their visitors from Mexico, and in doing so end Brazil’s three year stretch of close calls.
The match startes at 8:50 p.m. Eastern.
