Independiente and Santos face this night at 1:45, in the first hand of the finals of the Copa Libertadores final.
Argentina’s “red devils” have not yet reached the elimination phase of the most important 23-year-old Latin American competition when they lost to Velez Sarsfield’s contenders. However, Independiente has a special history linked to Copa Libertadores: with seven trophies won, it is the most titled team in the history of the competition.
Ariel Holan’s band also crosses a fast moment, scoring 11 goals in three games this summer, the Suruga Cup, the Argentine Cup and the championship, winning two wins and a draw. On the other side, Santos won one match in the ten official games played last month.
For the game this night, Independiente’s coach could not confirm the start team as Martín Benítez and Silvio Romero are injured. Thus, the grouping of “red devils” could begin with: MartínCampaña – Fabricio Bustos, Guillermo Burdisso, Gastón Silva, Sánchez Miño – Francisco Silva, Nicolás Domingo, Pablo Hernández – E. Cerutti, Gigliotti, Maxi Meza.
Instead, Cuca has already announced the 11th start of the Brazilians: Vanderlei – Víctor Ferraz, Lucas Verissimo, Gustavo Henrique, Dodó – Renato, Carlos Sánchez, Brian Ruiz – Rodrygo, Gabriel Barbosa, Bruno Henrique.
History is on the side of Independiente, who won all the direct confrontations with Santos: in the 1964 Copa Libertadores semifinals and in the South American Supercup duels in 1989, 1994 and 1995. That’s why I expect the Argentineans now impose.
PREDICTION: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.45
