Copa Sudamericana 2nd Leg Tonight: A Ganar Sí o Sí

By: Christian | November 14th, 2007

River Plate face their biggest game of the year tonight, as los millonarios host Arsenal de Sarandí in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinals. You can catch it live on Fox Sports Español at 7PM or 11PM ET. The winner will advance to the final to face Mexican side Club América, who defeated Millonarios from Colombia 5-2 on aggregate last night.

After having drawn 0-0 last week in Sarandí, River face a must win scenario; without the benefit of away goals, a loss or any draw would mean elimination, so a win is the only option tonight (a nil-nil draw however would go to penalties). Paulo Ferrari returns to the starting lineup, but the loss of Radamel Falcao to national team duty is a huge loss for the team, especially after his inspiring performance against Botafogo at home that got River to this point in the competition. He will be replaced by Andrés Ríos.

With the league out of reach, the Copa is the final opportunity this year for River to give its fans something to be proud of. La banda to be honest have not had the best run of late, but if the team can leave it all on the pitch, if they can let a packed and raucous Monumental crowd inspire them to victory, if they can proudly represent the glorious history of the greatest club in Argentina, then River will once again be triumphant.

ESTA NOCHE CUESTE LO QUE CUESTE… ESTA NOCHE TENEMOS QUE GANAR!!!

River starting lineup:

Carrizo
Ferrari Nasuti Tuzzio Ponzio
Belluschi Ahumada Lima Buonanotte
Ortega
Ríos