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Palmeiras and Boca Juniors Clash for Coveted Final Spot in Copa Libertadores
Palmeiras and Boca Juniors will battle for the opportunity to face Fluminense in the final of the Copa Libertadores.
Thursday's clash between Boca Juniors and Palmeiras at La Bombonera ended in a goalless draw. Despite dominating the game, the Argentine side couldn't find the net against a conservative and at times hesitant Brazilian opponent. Boca Juniors, fueled by the ardent desire to claim their seventh Libertadores trophy, displayed commendable efforts in the first leg, creating numerous opportunities in front of their passionate home crowd. However, the 0-0 result left the series wide open, and now the battleground shifts to the majestic Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, the home of Palmeiras.
Tonight, Palmeiras and Boca Juniors will vie for the opportunity to face Fluminense in the final of the Copa Libertadores de América. This follows Fluminense's triumphant away victory against Internacional, securing a 2-1 win in the other semifinal played on Wednesday in Porto Alegre.
Boca comes into this crucial encounter having lost in the superclásico against River Plate, who defeated them 2-0 at La Bombonera. Jorge Almirón fielded an alternative lineup for this important domestic tournament. In the context of the Brasileirao, Palmeiras also suffered an away defeat against Bragantino with a score of 2-1. The Verdão played with a distinctly alternative formation, focusing on this crucial duel against Boca.
In the lead-up to this grand rematch, Abel Ferreira, the coach of the Brazilian team, acknowledged the mystique of the Argentine side: "How many Copa Libertadores titles does Palmeiras have?" he asked. "How many Copa Libertadores titles does Boca have?" he insisted, highlighting the six crowns of the Argentine team and the three of the São Paulo-based team, downplaying the favoritism given by the Brazilian press to Verdão.
A crucial element for this encounter will be the playing surface of the Allianz Parque stadium. Since 2020, the São Paulo-based team has opted for artificial turf, giving an added swiftness to ball circulation.
- Palmeiras has been crowned champions in three editions of the Copa Libertadores: 1999, 2020, and 2021.
- Boca Juniors has achieved the title six times: 1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2007.
The final of the Copa Libertadores de América 2023 is set to take place on November 4th at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Prepare for a footballing spectacle as the continent holds its breath for the thrilling conclusion to this semifinal battle. The quest for glory intensifies, and only the strongest will emerge as the contender for the coveted title. Don't miss a moment of the action exclusively on beIN SPORTS!
Catch the 2nd leg match TONIGHT Thursday, October 5 (8:30 pm ET) - Copa Libertadores
Palmeiras (BRA) vs. Boca Juniors (ARG) / Aggregate: (0-0)