Wednesday, 13th of June 2007
Venue: La Bombonera Stadium, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)
BOCA JUNIORS
Boca’s squad is the envy of every single team that has participated in the Copa Libertadores. Their overall depth is outstanding at least, particularly because they can call on any of their substitutes to get the job done. Gremio should take them very seriously, particularly at the Bombonera, a stadium that Boca rarely lose at.
When you take into consideration that they count on attacking players of the caliber of Martin Palermo, Rodrigo Palacio, and Juan Roman Riquelme you can be sure that Boca will give a headache to any defense.
Boca come into this vital clash after a 1-0 victory over Belgrano de Cordoba on the weekend, playing with practically a reserve side. After San Lorenzo’s Clausura coronation on Sunday Boca know that the Copa Libertadores is their only chance.
HOME RECORD
Boca are one of the most difficult sides to play against when at home, and they are undefeated in Argentina in the Copa Libertadores this year. They have defeated Cienciano, Toluca, Bolivar, Velez Sarsfield, and Toluca, and drew with Libertad before clinching the series with a 2-0 victory in Asuncion. Gremio have been poor on the road, but proved they can score away from home after taking the lead in the semi final second leg at Santos.
LAST FIVE
Semi Finals: Cucuta Deportivo 3-0
Semi Finals: Cucuta Deportivo 1-3
Quarter Finals: Libertad 2-0
Quarter Finals: Libertad 1-1
Round of Sixteen: Velez Sarsfield 1-3
PROBABLE STARTING XL
BOCA JUNIORS: Mauricio Caranta, Hugo Ibarra, Claudio Morel, Clemente Rodriguez, Pablo Ledesma, Ever Banega, Nery Cardozo, Juan Roman Riquelme, Rodrigo Palacio and Martin Palermo. Manager: Miguel Angel Russo.
KEY PLAYER
Juan Roman Riquelme
Boca’s creative genius has been in outstanding form in the Copa Libertadores, and put Boca ahead against Cucuta with a sensational swerving free-kick. He has been the key ingredient of a Boca team that has grown immensely throughout the competition. If Boca wins the competition, there’s no way anyone will be able to beat Riquelme to the MVP award.
GREMIO
Gremio might not have the popularity of a team like Boca, but over the years they have proven why they are so well respected in Brazil. With two Copa Libertadores’ to their name (1983 & 1995) Gremio have shown that football in Porto Alegre is as good as anywhere in Brazil, even though they tend to use different styles of play when compared to the traditional Brazilian conventions. Their most famous superstar was Ronaldinho, and you can be sure he will be cheering on his former club on Wednesday night.
POOR AWAY RECORD
Gremio have proven that they are a tough nut to crack, but this isn’t the case when you take their away record into consideration. Since their 1-0 victory over Cerro Porteno in February they have lost all their away matches, with five losses in total.
To be a Copa Libertadores finalist this is a startling statistic, but what should be taken into account is their fine home record, with five victories from six matches, eight goals in favour and none against! Meaning Boca must make the most of their home leg, because it could get tight in Porto Alegre.
KEY PLAYER
Tcheco
The experienced midfielder is seen as Gremio’s main inspiration, and he has proven that although he lacks pace he makes up for this with superb skill and intelligence. Gremio’s strikers Tuta and Carlos Eduardo rely on his assists for their goal-scoring opportunities, and they have really come to understand each other in this Copa Libertadores. Tcheco will definitely be Gremio’s key distributer in the midfield at the Bombonera, and is likely to be closely marked by Ever Banega, a player that doesn’t like to be outwitted by classy playmakers.
LAST FIVE
Semi Finals: Santos 1-3
Semi Finals: Santos 2-0
Quarter Finals: Defensor 2-0 (won 4-2 on penalty kicks)
Quarter Finals: Defensor 0-2
Round of Sixteen: Sao Paulo 2-0
PROBABLE STARTING XL
Sebastian Saja, William, Teco, Patricio, Lucio, Sandro, Diego Gavilan, Diego Souza, Tcheco, Tuta, Carlos Eduardo. Manager: Mano Menezes.
From goal.com
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