Flamengo vs River Plate
2019 Copa Libertadores Final
Date: Saturday, 23 November 2019
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Monumental (Lima).
As the famous song goes, Copa Libertadores is an obsession for River, who has been in the final on six occasions and saw the stage of the competition as something of a birthright.
Nicknamed 'Los Millonarios', or 'The Millionaires' Club Buenos Aires has always regarded themselves as the tree tops in South American football in terms of prosperity, both on and off the field.
Currently sitting in fourth place in the Primera Division Argentina, just one point of leaders and rivals Boca Juniors, won consecutive Libertadores title would serve as a reminder of their pedigree to claim a major trophy.
They will not, on the other hand, wants to end this year will be marred by what happens off the field, as happened when the 2018 final was postponed because of the attack on the Boca team ahead of the second leg, which ended up being played at a neutral venue Madrid.
However, the game is now only one-off event in a neutral location, pitting Buenos Aires against Rio de Janeiro, you suspect that South America will be treated to the spectacle of football rich cultural fit.
While the river holds a reputation of wealth and privilege, Flamengo is a club that owned the slums of Rio.
Argentina side are all too familiar with the stage of the competition, while Flamengo, under Jorge Jesus, who is very experienced, enter what will be only the second Libertadores final in their history, and their first since 1981.
It is often said how every resident of Rio can know that Flamengo has printed heard a lot of gunfire celebration from the favela, and if they reach the holy grail of South American football for the first time since the days of Zico on Saturday, then you suspect that the explosion will be heard around Brazil.
This does not mean David and Goliath affair, though, considering that Flamengo is now 13 points clear of their nearest rivals in Brasilerao Serie A and are expected to hit the side of Marcelo Gallardo with an aggressive style, attack-minded.
Spearheaded by former Inter Milan forward Gabriel Barbosa, who has 29 goals in 37 appearances this year, Flamengo will see this game as much more than a cup final, but it is a chance to write themselves into history.
TEAM NEWS
FLAMENGO
Flamengo this contest as slight favorites in large part because of their impressive performance in all competitions. Brazilian giants while riding a 25-match unbeaten streak in all competitions (W20, D5) and they did not concede a single goal in 13 of those games. They also averaged 2.15 goals per game in the Brazilian Serie A. they beat Gremio 1-0 in their previous match.
The Rubronegro side has no injury worries ahead of this contest. This will allow the former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus to field the strongest line-up for this important match, because Flamengo will aim to conquer their second Copa Libertadores title in club history.
Expected starting XI: Diego Alves; Rafinha, Rodrigo Caio, Pablo Marí, Filipe Luis; Gerson, Willian Arao; Everton Ribeiro, Bruno Henrique, Diego Ribas; Gabriel Barbosa
RIVER PLATE
Los Millonarios have played with alternative squad in recent weeks, so the results do not reflect their full capacity. Either way, the giant Argentine Primera has looked pretty solid in recent weeks because they have a sign W3, L2 in all competitions, while winning 2-0 against Estudiantes in the Copa Argentina in their previous match.
River Plate has no injury worries ahead of this game, so they should be able to field a very strong team ahead of this contest. Maybe there is a little tactical change, though, as manager Marcelo Gallardo is leaning toward playing with the 5-3-2 system instead of the usual 4-1-3-2. This includes Paulo Díaz at the expense of Nicolas De La Cruz.
Expected to start XI: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Paulo Díaz, Javier Pinola, Milton Casco; Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Perez, Nacho Fernández; Rafael Santos Borre, Matías Suárez
Flamengo vs River Plate prediction
River Plate has taken on a fierce rivals Boca Juniors in the semi-finals, they had beaten in the final of this very competition the previous campaign. The first leg ended with the former scoring two unanswered goals at home, while the Juniors leg ended with a 1-0 win, which turned out to be useful as aggregate men like Marcelo Gallardo.
Meanwhile, Flamengo have to deal with much defect in the first leg semi-final, which ended 1-1, however, the second leg ended with an absolute disaster for Gremio opponent. Flamengo cruised to a 5-0 victory to force take steps towards glory.
In the final, both teams will arrive with confidence. However, Argentina is better at it, because they are the defending champions and their experience in dealing with such situations. In what is probably the most anticipated game in the history of the two-legged Libertadores, man Gallardo has overcome archrivals Boca Juniors in the final of the previous edition.
This time, they once again repeated the feat in the semis, and have a rare opportunity to record back-to-back championships. In addition, the club has taken on Flamengo Argentina in the group stage of the previous campaign and stand unbeaten in both legs. Impressively, they have registered a 2-2 draw on the road to Brazil.
Thus, it is expected to edge out River Plate for a second title in a few years.
In terms of goals though, the shape of Flamengo has shown during this season will come into play. They are top of Serie A table, and by a country mile. They have also scored the most goals in the 73rd, with not even one manages to even touch the 60-mark.
Most likely, expect goals at both ends of the field in this highly competitive game.
Flamengo vs River Plate Betting Tips
Dual Opportunity: River Plate or Draw @ 1.70 (7/10)
Both Teams Score @ 2.00 (1/1).
