The Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre hosts Wednesday’s first leg of the Copa Libertadores Final between Sao Paulo and Atletico Paranaense, which for the first time ever will be decided by two teams from the same country.
Sao Paulo have not won the tournament since 1993 and go into the final as clear favourites.
Athletico Paranaense are very much the surprise team of the tournament. But their league form so far this year has been woeful. Managing to get only 3 points in 10 games. But despite this, Athletico Paranaense have remained strong in the Copa Libertadores are and show to work Sao Paulo hard.
Sao Paulo coach Paulo Autuori -Libertadores in 1997 as coach of Cruzeiro – rested his top players for Sunday’s league game to prepare for the Libertadores match, Sao Paulo lost 1-0.
Striker Grafite has been out with a knee injury, Cicinho was called up for the Confederations Cup, and Diego Tardelli, Fabio Santos and Edcarlos joined Brazil’s under-20 squad in the World Youth Championship.
So Autori has suffered set backs in recent weeks which will give strength to Atletico Paranaense.
