Argentina vs Brazil is an age-old rivalry and it will be thrashed out at club level in the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday evening.
Argentinian side Boca Juniors take on Brazilian’s Fluminense in the final of South America’s equivalent to the Champions League. It’s been a long journey for both sides and today is judgement day.
Boca are aiming to become the most decorated side in Copa Libertadores history this evening, levelling Independiente’s impressive seven titles with a victory over Fluminense. Jorge Almiron’s side make the trip from Buenos Aires to Brazil having already conquered Nacional, Racing Club and most recently Palmeiras in the knockout stages, albeit doing so on penalties on every occasion.
Meanwhile, Fluminense are aiming for a first Copa Libertadores title having only reached the final once before in 2008. They have already knocked out one Argentinian side in Argentinos Juniors in the last 16, but made this year’s final after beating fellow Brazilians Internacional in the last four. They will be buoyed by the fact that they are playing in their own stadium too – the Maracana – perhaps giving them the edge over Boca.
Here is your preview to the 2023 Copa Libertadores final between Boca Juniors and Fluminense.
Boca Juniors vs Fluminense H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
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Country |
TV channel / live stream |
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United Kingdom |
BBC Three, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web |
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United States |
beIN SPORTS, beIN SPORTS en Espanol, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, Fanatiz USA |
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Canada |
beIN SPORTS Canada, beIN SPORTS en Espanol, beIN SPORTS CONNECT, fuboTV Canada, Fanatiz Canada |
Manchester United supporters will recognise several faces in the current Boca team, one of whom, Marcos Rojo, will be suspended for the final after getting sent off in the semi-final second leg.
The others formerly of Old Trafford are Edinson Cavani, who is expected to start up top, and goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The shot-stopper has been absolutely crucial in Boca’s path to the final, saving six penalties across the three shootouts they have been involved in.
The only other absentee for Almiron’s side is young attacker Exequiel Zeballos who is currently sidelined with an ACL injury.
Wonderkids Ezequiel Fernandez and Valentin Barco – who is wanted by Chelsea and Manchester City – are ones to keep an eye out for in Boca blue and yellow.
Boca Juniors predicted lineup vs Fluminense (4-4-2): Romero; Advincula, Figal, Valentini, Fabra; Medina, G. Fernandez, E. Fernandez, Barco; Merentiel, Cavani.
Fernando Diniz, who is currently managing the Brazil national team alongside Fluminense, also doesn’t have too many injury woes ahead of the Libertadores final.
While defender Jorge remains sidelined, his teammate Samuel Xavier will return after serving a one-game ban against Internacional in the second leg of the semi-final.
40-year-old veteran holding midfielder Felipe Melo, formerly of Juventus and Inter, should return to action, while Real Madrid icon Marcelo will provide even more experience in the backline.
Liverpool transfer target Andre is expected to start in the heart of midfield too.
Fluminense predicted starting lineup vs Boca Juniors (4-2-3-1): Fabio; Xavier, Nino, Marlon, Marcelo; Andre, Gomes; Arias, Ganso, Keno; Cano.
Despite Boca’s experience in this competition and six previous titles, the Argentinian side haven’t won the tournament since 2007, losing their previous two final appearances. Almiron’s side have scraped past their knockout opponents to be here, relying on penalty shootout victories in all three of their games.
The odds are stacked in Fluminense’s favour for a maiden Libertadores crown, especially given they are playing at their home stadium. Diniz’s side have been far more convincing en route to the final and should find a way past Boca this Saturday in what promises to be a feisty and tight affair.
Prediction: Boca Juniors 0-1 Fluminense
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