From Fernando Diniz's potentially game-changing tactics to exciting Premier League transfer targets – the game at the Maracana is not to be missed
During his illustrious playing career, Romario was renowned for speaking his mind. Seemingly, nothing has changed since his subsequent move into the world of politics. Speaking to ahead of Saturday's Copa Libertadores final, the Brazil legend said, "Fluminense should be the team to take home the trophy. As for the Argentines, f*ck those sons of b*tches!" Fair to say that if Boca Juniors boss Jorge Almiron needed any inspiration for his pre-match team talk, Romario has unintentionally provided plenty.
But it's not as if Boca were short on motivation anyway. Winning this tournament always offers 'Eternal Glory', but another victory really would be special for the Buenos Aires outfit, as it would see them equal Independiente's long-standing record of Libertadores triumphs.
For Fluminense and their players, though, this is also a shot at immortality, as the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit have never before lifted the trophy. Even more incredibly, they have a chance to do so in their own stadium – the mythical Maracana.
History, then, beckons for both, but as GOAL outlines, this final is attracting attention all across the world for a myriad of reasons…
Boca's shootout specialist
Sergio Romero knew little other than frustration at Manchester United. The goalkeeper spent the majority of his six years at Old Trafford sitting on the bench, featuring just six times in total in the Premier League.
However, Romero is certainly enjoying his football again, having quickly attained hero status since joining Boca last year – primarily because of his penalty-saving prowess, which is the main reason why the Argentines are in the Libertadores final.
Indeed, Boca haven't won a single knockout game, drawing all six of their outings in the last 16, quarters and semis. However, they've now won three shootouts in a row thanks to Romero, who has saved six spot-kicks so far, while at the same time keeping five clean sheets – no other goalkeeper has more.
As a result, the former Argentina international now rather understandably believes that Boca are destined to triumph at the Maracana. "I have faith that things are going to work out for us," Romero says, "that we're going to win it."
If Boca manage to make it to penalties yet again, you certainly wouldn't back against them – or their shootout specialist.
AdvertisementGetty/GOALTwo very different veterans
There's no denying that Edinson Cavani will be the most high-profile attacker on the field at the Maracana. The Uruguayan is undoubtedly one of the finest forwards of his generation, having scored goals at club level in Italy, France, England and Spain, and won a Copa America with his country.
Cavani hasn't quite caught fire since joining Boca at the end of July, but his pedigree cannot be questioned, and it's worth pointing out that one of his three goals to date did come in the second leg of the semi-final against Palmeiras.
Nonetheless, it is Fluminense's veteran striker who is being touted as the likely match-winner on Saturday – even though many football fans outside of South America are unlikely to have ever heard of him.
German Cano is the quintessential journeyman, having spent the majority of his career moving from one club to another, often on loan. He never represented Argentina at any age group and, truth be told, many thought he was finished after suffering a serious knee injury at Pachuca in 2015.
However, Cano says now that "It helped me gain experience, become a better player, work much harder. You learn from those experiences. I’ve enjoyed everything I've been through. I’m older now and, today, I’m in very good form." That's putting it mildly.
Cano is the Libertadores' top-scorer, having scored as many goals (12) as the entire Boca team – and in fewer games (11). One could also argue that, right now, there is no better first-time finisher in world football, given 25 of his 36 goals in all competitions this season have come without the need for a second touch.
Cano, then, is buzzing with self-belief going into what is, by some distance, the biggest game of his life. "We know that victory would go down in Fluminense’s history," he said. "It would be really beautiful because it has taken us a long time to get there." It's taken him longer than most, though, and many neutrals are hoping that his inspirational perseverance pays off on Saturday.
GettyLiverpool or Arsenal's next No.6?
Despite long dreaming of a move to Europe, midfielder Andre promised Fernando Diniz in January that he would stay at Fluminense until the end of the 2023 season. Nonetheless, he was sorely tempted to leave when an almost "irrefutable proposal" arrived during the summer from a "club that plays in a big league".
Andre ultimately stayed put, partly because Fluminense were still in the Copa Libertadores, and partly because it was the "right thing" to do in the circumstances. However, the midfield playmaker also trusted Diniz when the coach told him that if he stayed, his value would increase – and it most certainly has, along with the interest in the 22-year-old's services.
Indeed, according to the latest reports, Arsenal have now overtaken Liverpool – the club believed to have submitted that big summer bid – in the race to sign Andre during the January transfer window. It's not yet known where he will end up, of course, particularly as other members of Europe's elite are said to have joined the chase. What is clear, though, is that the man that makes Diniz's team tick is almost certain to move on during the winter window.
Helping Fluminense win a first Libertadores would mean departing with the best wishes and gratitude of everyone connected with the club for agreeing to stay for those extra few months.
Marcelo's Fluminense fairy tale
They say everything happens for a reason – Marcelo would likely agree. After leaving Real Madrid a legend last year, the left-back endured such a difficult spell with Olympiacos that he felt compelled to cancel his contract after just five months in Greece.
However, in February, he was given the chance to go home. "It's difficult to express what this moment means to me," he said after rejoining Fluminense 16 years after leaving. "I've been dreaming of returning to my origins, to the team that trained me and taught me what I know about football."
Since then, Marcelo has been teaching his team-mates everything he knows about winning major trophies, with the Brazilian now on the verge of becoming only the 15th man in history to win both the Champions League and the Copa Libertadores.
"I don't think of myself as a renowned player who has lots of titles," he insisted. "What I did in the past has been and gone. I just always think about the now, and now I’m enjoying one of the best moments of my life, playing a final with Fluminense."
Marcelo may already have plenty of silverware in his trophy cabinet, but few football fans would begrudge one of the modern game's greatest defenders a fairy-tale finish at Fluminense.