Experience meets aspiration in Libertadores semis

• River Plate and Gremio are prior Copa Libertadores winners
• Barcelona SC two-time runners-up, Lanus in a semis for a initial time
• In a initial for a competition, a VAR complement will be used in a semi-finals

The semi-finals of 2017 Copa Libertadores will representation dual of South America’s many successful sides – both prior winners of a foe – opposite dual clubs that are on a adult though have nonetheless to lift a trophy.

As good as claiming a many prestigious esteem in South American bar football, a winners of a foe will also allege to a FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017 in December.

The matches
24 October
River Plate (ARG) – Lanus (ARG) (Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, 19:15 internal time)

Copa champions in 1986, 1996 and 2015, River take on one of a biggest sensations of Argentinian football of a final few years, a side who have reached a final 4 for a initial time in their history. The dual teams met in a Argentinian Super Cup behind in February, with Lanus winning 3-0. Though both sides have seen players come and go given then, their squads sojourn radically a same, while certainty is high in a dual camps following their quip wins in a quarter-finals.

25 October
Barcelona SC (ECU) – Gremio (BRA) (Estadio Monumental, Guayaquil, 18:45 internal time)

One of Ecuador’s biggest clubs, Barcelona are vigilant on going all a approach this time, carrying reached a final in 1990 and 1998, when they mislaid to Olimpia and Vasco da Gama respectively. Barcelona have shown a fondness for Brazilian clubs on their startling nonetheless convincing run to a final four, knocking out Palmeiras in a final 16 and Santos in a quarters. As for El Tricolor – former winners in 1983 and 1995 – they have put together an considerable debate interjection to Luan, an Olympic bullion medallist with Brazil during Rio 2016, and Paraguay general Lucas Barrios. Their goals helped Los Gaúchos advance from a organisation theatre with a third-best record of a 16 qualifiers, sandwiched in between Lanus in second and River in fourth.

Player to watch
Lautaro Acosta (Lanus)
The Granate winger is his side’s many manly hazard and an idol of a club. Attacking down a flanks is a pivotal facet of manager Jorge Almiron’s strategy and a 29-year-old Acosta has a knack of unsettling defences from out wide. El Laucha came adult by a girl ranks during Lanus, a bar where he has played his best football, and has turn one of a excellent forwards in a Argentinian league. His performances have been so considerable that he warranted a call-up from Jorge Sampaoli for Argentina’s final 4 matches in a qualifiers for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™.

Did we know?
The semi-finals will see a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) complement come into use for a initial time ever in a competition. VAR helps referees strech decisions in a 4 game-changing situations: goals, penalties, red cards and mistaken identity.

What they said
“We’ve prioritised a Libertadores above all else since we wish to revive a prestige. We’re on a approach to achieving that.” 
Barcelona SC manager Guillermo Almada

Article source: http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/y=2017/m=10/news=experience-meets-ambition-in-libertadores-semis-2916229.html