Cope Libertadores final: Superclasico scheduled, when history meets football
The final of one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, Copa Libertadores is here, and for football fans, it just does not get better. The highest club football prize in South America will be witnessing a final between Boca Juniors and River Plate, two Buenos Aires teams, whose derby, fiercest in the world, is known as the 'Superclasico'. Here's more.
On the name 'Copa Libertadores'
Most South American countries were under Spanish or Portuguese colonial rule over a long period of time, and through the name of the tournament, honored their heroes of independence, or liberation. "Libertadores" means 'the liberators', and so the name stands, Cup of the Liberators.
What do we know about the Superclasico?
The fixture between Buenos Aires clubs, Boca Juniors and River Plate, is called the Superclasico. The Observer put this derby at the top of "50 sporting things you must do before you die". Numerous other publications, across the world, have put this rivalry at the top, as well. They have locked horns on 246 occasions, with Juniors clinching 88 victories against Plate's 81 wins.
A two-way historical encounter
It is 58 years since world football's biggest derby is taking place at the grandest stage, and the rivalry between the two clubs is so fierce that no away fans will be not allowed in the stadiums when the two-legged final kicks off. Yes, two-legged final, CONMEBOL has held on the tradition for long, but this will finally be the last time it happens.
How did the rivalry arise?
The rivalry between River Plate and Boca Juniors is the clash between the working class (Boca), and the middle class (River). It is Boca's grit vs River's suave, Boca's hard work vs River's artistry. The two sets of fans are immigrants and their philosophies have been derived from which part of the town they decided to move to in and around 1922.
Details about the epic to be scripted soon
Boca and River have amazingly reached the final in the same fashion- winning six times, drawing five, and losing just once. The first leg of the final will be held tonight at 1:30 AM, at La Bombonera, the home of Boca Juniors. The second leg is on November 25, 1:30 AM, at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, River's home.
Why should we watch the match?
As football lovers, one should not be boxed up regarding only European or national competitions, because that will limit our scope from the entirety of the beautiful game that is happening throughout the world. These two fixtures will be epic scripted, and something that might not happen in another half a century. This is the passion, love, intensity of the game at its peak.
