BUENOS AIRES – Following a 19-year drought, Argentine club River Plate has the opportunity to lift the Copa Libertadores when it faces Tigres de Mexico in the second leg of the tournament’s final.
The return leg of the final will take place on Wednesday (5th August) in the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The final will have a decisive impact for both teams.
Tigres could achieve its dream to become the first Liga MX winner of the trophy – the top tier of Mexico’s football league – and make the competition’s history.
During a press conference on Monday (3 August), Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate’s head coach, admitted that there were challenged ahead because the Mexican soccer team is a feared rival.
Marcelo Gallardo was also confident that his players would not lose at home, although he will watch the 5 August game from the stands.
The coach was kicked out of the bench for yelling at the referee in the final’s first leg, which ended goalless at the Estadio Universitario de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico.
River players suffered several blows as they battled the 34-degree heat during the derby, in contrast with this year’s harsh Argentine winter.
Besides, Argentine fullback Gabriel Mercado was suspended, after receiving a yellow card in the first half of the game. Two River players, Uruguayan striker Rodrigo Mora and attacking midfielder Tabare Viudez, were injured.
In their home leg, Tigres failed to break River’s rugged defence with the game ending goalless.
This video was produced exclusively for Associated Press on August 3, 2015. Click here to watch it.
