Boca hoping to make history in Libertadores showdown with River

Nahitan Nandez said here Tuesday that he and his teammates have a chance to become part of the lore of Boca Juniors if they beat archrivals River Plate this weekend in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” the Uruguayan midfielder told a press conference after practice. “Today we have an opportunity to create a place in the history of Boca. We are convinced that we’re going to do it. When Saturday comes, we have to get stuck in and take the match, that’s what’s important.”

Argentina’s two most popular clubs drew 2-2 in the first leg of the final at Boca’s La Bombonera (The Chocolate Box) stadium near the Port of Buenos Aires.

But Nandez said that Boca are confident of being able to win when they travel across town for the decisive match at the Monumental, home of River Plate.

The midfielder was joined at the press conference by teammates Wilmar Barrios, Oscar Cordoba, Chicho Serna, and Jorge “the Boss” Bermudez.

Barrios agreed with Nandez that the Libertadores trophy will be hoisted by whichever team makes fewer mistakes.

“We hope to be up to the challenge on the day of the match and the can take the lead. We know what’s at stake in the final. We’re going to give it our all to be the winners,” he said.

Boca is seeking its seventh Copa Libertadores title, while River Plate is eying a fourth championship in South America’s premier club competition.