Boca and River take the first step towards glory

The wait is over. For the 25th time in its history, Boca Juniors and River Plate will face Copa Libertadores, but never in a setting like today. At 17 o'clock, when the Chilean referee Roberto Tobar gave his first whistle to La Bombonera, Argentinian archivists will begin to fight for the honor and glory, symbolized by the maximum trophy of the continental club. The second part will take place on November 24 at Monumental.

The "football planet" is waiting. "In the draw, it was announced that the only possibility for these teams to face it would be the final.We dream of doing something similar, but having so many clubs competing was a fantasy to think that it would happen, "said President Alejandro Domnguez yesterday. of the Conmebol

With a full "xeneize" stadium, the rain scheduled for the hour of the meeting promises to become a spicy ingredient in the development of commitment. "If the players are already experiencing a degree of stress corresponding to what this match means, imagine what bad weather could help produce: not to be missed if there are injuries and several yellow cards that will affect the match. back, "says Diego Borinsky, Argentine journalist, author of" Gallardo Monumental ", a biography of the River DT.

In Argentina, they badure that the key of the duel is in the groups. In their court, those led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto will try to mark the differences in this area through the pointers Sebastin Villa and Cristian Pavn, the same ones who will not be able to neglect the increases of the "millionaires" sides Gonzalo Montiel and Milton Casco, who they are reluctant to launch the attack whenever the adversary allows it.

The cards are thrown. Football and tension to the maximum. Everyone dreams of a historic party. Nobody wants a defeat that will be synonymous with a deep abyss.

$ 8.2 million will be enough for River where he wins the tournament, between price and ticket sales. Boca earns $ 7.4 million.

50,000 spectators are expected this afternoon in La Bombonera, a place that quickly exhausts its places.

& # 39; "When the game starts, we will have a small advantage: Boca fans, who are encouraging." DANIEL ANGELICI, president "xeneize"

"River is strong with Marcelo Gallardo as technician, but Boca is Boca and is used to playing this kind of final." DIEGO MARADONA, former player of Boca.

"We will feel more alone than ever because we are visitors, after which we will have more than eleven players at the Monumental who will support us." RODOLFO D'ONOFRIO, helmsman of the river

& # 39; Give everything to play this final (…) I think Gonzalo Martnez is the best of Argentine football and we all hope that he will become a demon before Boca. "ARIEL ORTEGA, exfigura" millionaire ".