Defending champion River Plate was “a little nervous” about the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday, according to midfielder Nacho Fernández.
He added, though, his hope that the Argentine team will play with “a cool head and a warm heart” against Brazilian side Flamengo.
Both teams, River first then Flamengo in the evening, were welcomed by hundreds of fans at Lima’s airport.
Rodrigo Caio, left, Rhodolfo, second left, Cesar, second right and Pablo Mari of Brazil's Flamengo soccer team walk on the airport tarmac after arriving to the military airport Grupo Aereo 8, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. The team will play Argentina's River Plate on Saturday's Copa Libertadores final. (AP PhotoMartin Mejia)
Flamengo was given a bigger farewell as tens of thousands of supporters followed the team bus to Rio de Janeiro’s international airport. In contrast, Argentine fans gave a timid farewell to River on the streets of Buenos Aires.
Lima’s Monumental Universitário Stadium replaced Santiago’s Estádio Nacional as the venue for the final after street protests erupted in Chile this month.
For the first time in the Copa’s 58-year history, the final is a single match.
Lucas Pratto of Argentina's River Plate, signs a fan's t-shirt, after his team arrived at the military airport Grupo Aereo 8, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. The team will play Brazil's Flamengo on Saturday's Copa Libertadores final. (AP PhotoMartin Mejia)
River won last year over two controversial legs against archrival Boca Juniors. The first leg was drawn, but the second leg was delayed after violence against the Boca team. The second leg was moved to Madrid, where River won 3-1 to win its fourth crown.
Flamengo won its only previous Copa in 1981.
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Bruno Henrique of Brazil's Flamengo talks to the press after arriving at the military airport Grupo Aereo 8, in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019. The team will play Argentina's River Plate on Saturday's Copa Libertadores final. (AP PhotoMartin Mejia)