2024 Copa Libertadores Final Preview: Atletico Mineiro vs Botafogo – An All-Brazilian Affair In Buenos Aires | OneFootball

Buenos Aires is busy, boiling and boisterous as it prepares to host Saturday’s Copa Libertadores final between Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo.

Thousands of hopeful Brazilian fans have flooded over to the Argentinian capital in the hope of seeing their team be crowned champions of South America.

A city where football is usually divided by Yellow and Green, and Red and White, is currently decked out in the black and white of Atlético Mineiro and Botafogo.

Despite recent bad press around the meeting of recent Brazilian and Argentine teams, this one has been different with Argentines and Brazilians embracing the event. Even though there are no Argentine sides in the final, Libertadores fever has certainly hit Buenos Aires.

After 154 matches and 366 goals, the 2024 Libertadores will conclude with 2013 winners Atlético Mineiro taking on a Botafogo side hoping to lift their first Libertadores title in an all-Brazilian 2024 final at River Plate’s famous El Monumental stadium.

The last Copa Libertadores final featuring sides from the same country came in 2022, wherea solo Gabriel Barbosa goal saw Flamengo break Athletico Paranaense hearts in Guayaquil .

Botafogo

After last year’s collapse in the second season, Artur Jorge had to bring life into the Fogo players and he has done the perfect job, keeping them fighting on all fronts.

The mood in the Botafogo camp coming into this one is fantastic. They have been a pleasure to watch all season with their attacking, exciting football–a method that has not only worked in the Copa Libertadores but also the Brasileirao as they sit top of the pile with just two games remaining.

Their form since eliminating Peñarol in the semifinal has been a little patchy, but they remain unbeaten in this period with three draws and two wins. After three draws on the spin, Botafogo placed the destiny of the league title out of their hands until they made a huge statement in midweek by beating their closest challenger Palmeiras away from home with a 3-1 win.

Their Journey to the Copa final began way back in February in Bolivia as they triumphed in a 7-1 aggregate win against Aurora.

An additional qualification round against fellow Brazil side Red Bull Bragantino confirmed their place in the group stage in a narrow 3-2 aggregate win.

The group stage saw them go to Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, as they finished second in a group with Junior, LDU Quito, and Universitario.

The Last 16 saw them battle with Palmeiras, who put to the sword in a 4-3 aggregate win before killing the hopes of another Paulista outfit, Sao Paulo, on penalties to set up a tie with Peñarol of Uruguay.

Coming into the game as huge favorites, Fogo lived up to the fire with a thumping 5-0 win in the first leg, before surviving a scare in a 3-1 loss in Uruguay to book their place in their first Copa Libertadores final.

Atletico Mineiro

Manager Gabriel Milito would love to lift the Copa Libertadores in his home country.

Eleven years have passed since Atlético Mineiro lifted the Libertadores following a penalty shootout victory over Olimpia, as they seek to repeat the feat in what is now a one-game final as opposed to the two-legged affair it was back then.

It’s been a complete contrast of form for Galo, who hasn’t won since their first leg 3-0 battering of River Plate. In this period they have played ten times; losing six and drawing four, which included a loss in the Copa do Brasil final against Flamengo over two legs.

Their league form has been poor, to say the least, but in every cup competition they have been a completely different outfit.

Galo’s Copa Libertadores campaign started in the group stages where they won five out of six matches to top a group featuring Peñarol, Rosario Central, and Caracas.

Their reward for winning and topping the group was a tricky tie with San Lorenzo who narrowly beat 2-1 over two legs, before beating defending Champions Fluminensne, overturning a 1-0 deficit in the first leg to win 2-1.

The semifinal was more comfortable as they beat River Plate 3-0 after a dominant display in Brazil and a 0-0 draw in Buenos Aires.

Ones to Watch

Thiago Almada – The exciting creative midfielder has been a thrill to watch this season. Listening to any conversation in Buenos Aires with Fogo fans this week, it hasn’t taken them long to mention their Argentine starboy.

Igor Jesus – The 23-year-old has been key upfront for Botafogo. Although he may not score as much as he’d like, his build-up play and work rate is key to how the team presses from the front.

Everson – Atletico Mineiro have been thankful for Everson making key saves in big games. He needs to have a big game if Galo are to lift their second Libertadores title.

Hulk – Hulk is a favorite fan. He works hard and can do something out of nothing — a big game player who will likely try to steal the show in the final.

With both sides likely to play an exciting brand of football, and with the way the last game between the sides ended with a heated flare-up, it promises to be an eye-catching battle in Argentina and one worth tuning in for!