There is a clear favorite in the other semifinal, and it is not Peñarol, although the Uruguayan club is one of the big names in the Libertadores. They were the first champions in 1960 and won the title five times. However, the peak was in 1987, when young striker Diego Aguirre scored the winning goal in the final snub. Aguirre is now the school teacher and is very aware of the dimensions of the duty ahead of him.
Once the international soccer market expanded, it became too dry for Uruguayan clubs to compete. Peñarol lost the 2011 final to a Neymar-inspired Santos, but on the other hand, this is the first year in decades they have gone the distance at the festival.
The modern aspects of Peñarol have been incessantly filled with products of adolescence. This one is slicker, with key names such as striker Maxi Silvera and notable attacking midfielder Leo Fernandez recently announced. Former Premier League playmaker Gastón Ramírez always brings peace and voters from the bench late in games. and the combination was enough to overcome the Brazilian giant Flamengo in the final round.
But this one, as Aguirre acknowledges, can be more difficult.
Botafogo, leader of the Brazilian tide, combines a dazzling custom with a dark and cool occasion. Crippled by debt, the Rio club had become increasingly common in the second tier until financing by American billionaire John Textor, whose Eagle Holdings also owns Lyon and has a stake in Crystal Palace.
But standing in Botafogo is not just about cash. It is a story of great scouting and excellent training through the Portuguese Artur Jorge, who has presented the new signings perfectly.
A few months ago, 23-year-old center forward Igor Jesus was relatively unknown playing for Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates. This time he played his first two games for Brazil and scored his first international goal.
In the past, winger Luiz Henrique was also on his way to Brazil, thriving since he joined the Real Betis club. The new reinforcements come with the Premier League full-back duo formed by Vitinho, formerly of Burnley, and Alex Telles, formerly of Manchester United, as well as Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada.
It is an interesting question how long some of these players will remain at Botafogo, but for this occasion the club’s fans are reveling in a trip back to the honored days of Garrincha and his illustrious teammates of the 1950s and 1960s.
Botafogo have never won the Copa Libertadores and are looking to do so, building to a first-leg victory in front of their own fans on Thursday (01:30 BST).
