Tigres UANL will take on River Plate in the Copa Libertadores 2015 Final at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Wednesday 5 August. The first leg of the final ended in a 0-0 draw last week at the Estadio Universitario. And now it has come down to the climax, which will be rivetting enough to push the fans on their edge of the seats.
These two teams have met thrice this year and have a good knowledge about each other. Surprisingly, all those three games have ended in stalemates. But this time it cannot end in a draw as there will be one winner, who will take the cup in glory.
The Tigres would want to silence the home fans and win the title and inscribe their names in the Mexican football history as they have never won this trophy since 1998 (that was the first time when Tigres made an entry in this competition).
"Because of its history, for what it represents, (River) is the team with most pressure at the moment. It would be cool" to come away with a "Monumentalazo. It doesn't bother me much if River feels like champion," Ferretti said. "I'm thinking about my team and about what we need to do to win," Tigres coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti told the reporters on Tuesday ahead of the final.
Ferretti has a well-balanced and well-knit team. He can deploy his best players and the tactics can change rapidly during the game, which can leave the River Plate's players clueless. Jorge Torres Nilo, Juninho and Jose Rivas form a good solid defence line. Arevelo and Guido Pizarro can take control of the midfield. Jurgen Damm, Aquino, Rafael Sobis and Andre Pierre Gignac can be ominous in the forward line.
"River is a great opponent and has shown it the three times we've played (each other)," said Arevelo. "But it's going to be a totally different game to the others, very closed and without spaces. We have to do our job and take advantage of our chances, which will be few."
Meanwhile, River Plates have already secured their place in the FIFA Club World Cup Japan 2015, but they would want to win the Copa Libertadores for the third time in the history of the tournament.
"Tigres are one of the most powerful sides in the competition, if not the most powerful. It's going to be a fiercely contested final. I would be amazed if the players went weak at the knees because they have experience and pedigree. The intensity is going to be high. We have a precious, highly prestigious opportunity in front of us. Contesting a Copa Libertadores final is a privilege," River Plate head coach Marcelo Gallardo told the reporters on Tuesday as well.
River Plate have lost just one out of the last 15 games that they have played in this competition. They also did not concede a goal in the last 360 minutes of the game. Thus one would believe that they will have the edge over the Tigres in the big final. On the other hand, the Tigres look resolute to upset the Argentine giants.
Where to watch live:
The final of the Copa Libertadores 2015 between River Plate and Tigres UANL is scheduled for a 10pm local time (6:30 am IST, 2am BST and 9pm EST) start with the live coverage in India on Sony Six HD and Sony Kix.
Football fans in the UK can switch to Premier Sports.
Viewers in the US can watch the match live on Fox Deportes.
Fans in Argentina can swtich to Foxplay Latin America or FOX Sports 2 Cono Sur and live stream the final on Fox Sports Cono Sur.
Audience in Mexico can watch the Copa Libertadores Final live on Fox Sports Cono Sur.