Thursday, December 8, 2011

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09.12. (Fri) 01:15 LDU Quito - Universidad de Chile

Bieler y Barcos - Festejo de LDU Quito
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PROBABLE LINEUPS

LIGA DE QUITO

Dominguez
Guagua, Araujo, Calderon
Reasco, Acosta, Hidalgo, Ambrosi, Gonzalez
Barcos, Bieler
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

Herrera
Rojas, M. Gonzalez, O. Gonzalez
Diaz, Rodriguez, Araguiz, Mena, Castro
Vargas, Canales
Liga coach Edgardo Bauza is preparing a attacking line-up to take advantage of the side's home leg, as Quito have a formidable record as hosts in the altitude of the Ecuadorian capital. Argentine star Ezequiel Gonzalez will be the Blancos' principal playmaker, linking up with compatriots Hernan Barcos and Claudio Bieler up front to try and build up a lead in anticipation of their visit to Santiago.

Universidad are also planning to go for the win in Quito, playing three at the back in an offensive line-up. Chelsea target Eduardo Vargas starts alongside former River striker Gustavo Canales in attack, and the U's big-guns return to action after being rested at the weekend for the Clausura quarter-final win over Union Espanola.

DID YOU KNOW?

  • This will be Liga de Quito's fifth continental final in the last four years. The Ecuadorians lifted the 2008 Copa Libertadores and 2009 Sudamericana, also triumphing in the 2009 and 2010 Recopa competition.
  • Universidad de Chile, meanwhile, play their first-ever final. The club have made the last four stage four times and fallen short, the last attempt being the 2010 Libertadores when they were downed by Chivas.
  • Both clubs are directed by an Argentine. Edgardo Bauza (right) and Jorge Sampaoli hail from the same province, Santa Fe; the birthplace of coaches such as Marcelo Bielsa, Gerardo Martino and Claudio Vivas.
  • There will be a certain rivalry between the pair, however. Bauza played over 300 games for Rosario giants Central; while Sampaoli grew up in the youth system of rivals Newell's Old Boys before injury forced him into coaching.
  • The two clubs also both owe their existence to University teams. Universidad de Chile's academic origins are reflected in their badge and their nickname, which is an owl (in Spanish, Lechuza).
  • The two clubs have proved the bane of Argentine and Brazilian outfits in the competition. Liga overcame Independiente and Velez Sarsfield on the way to the final, while Universidad took down Flamengo, Arsenal de Sarandi and Vasco.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction  
  L.D.U. 1-1 Universidad de Chile