Chivas Host Inter In The First Leg Of The Final.

One of Mexico’s most popular clubs, Chivas de Guadalajara, is hosting, arguably, their most important international final match in the history of their club tonight. Club Sport Internacional come to town for the first leg of the final of the Copa Libertadores in Guadalajara at Chivas’ new Estadio Omnilife, in what would be it’s first official match.

In this kind of situation, I’d lean towards the home side, because in this case, Inter have had a long flight to Mexico and the Jalisco home crowd will most likely come out en force tonight for this one. Also, Chivas are riding one hell of a wave after not only eliminating a very tough Universidad de Chile side, but doing in emphatic style. At home, and being a Mexican side in a CONMEBOL tournament (you know my rule) Chivas are poised as the favorites for this match.

Also, this is the first Copa LIbertadores final to be played on artificial turf, another point in favor for Chivas as Inter do not regularly play on artificial turf.

But Inter are not a side to take for granted or believe they will fold easily. We are talking about a side that in the last 4 years have been champions of some of the continents most prestigious awards. Libertadores champs in 2006, Recopa Sudamericana winners in 2007, Copa Sudamericana winners in 2008, in short, you get what I’m saying… these guys know how to win. And while they’ve had some squad changes in the past few years (what team in South America hasn’t), they have managed to keep a small core of players together and their performances reflect this core’s work.

Also, in this year’s competition, Inter have had a poor streak of away form while getting more positive results at home. But, interestingly enough, they have been advancing based on their away goals so in tonight’s match we could see an Inter goal or two.

Chivas is only the second Mexican club to advance to the Libertadores final. Cruz Azul faced off with Boca Juniors way back in 1991, but failed to win it despite winning in La Bombonera. We’ll see a motivated Chivas side try to replicate that performance at home.

My pick: 2-1 to Chivas. Chivas will get the win tonight, I have no doubt, but they won’t be able to keep Inter at bay. Inter will get at least one goal and the match will be a good one to watch.

Fox Sports en Español will be airing this match LIVE at 8:30 EST. Tune in earlier if you want to see the preview show. I believe it starts an hour earlier.

Category: Tournament News