If you listen to what the Fluminense folks have been saying for the past few days, a Brazilian win in Wednesday's Copa Libertadores final second leg at the Maracanã against LDU is as certain as death and taxes.
It seems the 4-2 defeat in the Quito game never happened. Coach Renato Gaúcho and his players are backing themselves in such a way that even the party-happy Brazilian press is talking about âÂÂexcess of confidence.âÂÂ
Claudio Bieler celebrates giving LDU first-leg lead
HereâÂÂs a selection of quotes from the self-assured tricolores:
âÂÂWeâÂÂll leave the Maracanã stadium as champions. WeâÂÂll score as many goals as necessary.â â coach Renato Gaúcho
âÂÂI donâÂÂt know how IâÂÂm going to lift the trophy. IâÂÂll see that at the moment.â â captain Luiz Alberto
âÂÂFluminense has overcome tougher situations against bigger clubs like São Paulo and Boca Juniors. With all due respect, LDU wonâÂÂt hold us down.â â coach Renato Gaúcho
âÂÂLDUâÂÂs best player wonâÂÂt show up to the Maracanã game. ItâÂÂs the altitude.â â forward Washington
âÂÂWeâÂÂre not desperate. ItâÂÂs LDU who should be desperate, because theyâÂÂll face Fluminense in a sold out Maracanã.â â coach Renato Gaúcho
For some unknown reasons, theyâÂÂre talking the talk like there was no tomorrow. And there wonâÂÂt be one if they donâÂÂt walk the walk.
Losing the Copa Libertadores would have a devastating effect on Fluminense, whose continental obsession is driving them rock bottom in the National Championship.
Their five losses and three draws in eight games have been tolerated by the fans only because theyâÂÂve been promised the Libertadores.
Bouncing back from such a difficult situation without the South American crown wonâÂÂt be easy.
Dario Conca keeps Fluminense in contention
Sure, Fluminense has what it takes to reverse LDUâÂÂs advantage.
Winning by two goals at the Maracanã isnâÂÂt a herculean task, but they should be aware that only once in the history of the Libertadores final has a team overcame a two-goal deficit to take the crown â ColombiaâÂÂs Atlético Nacional in 1989.
And thereâÂÂs also LDU in their way. At first, the Ecuatorians didnâÂÂt mind the bold interviews from the Brazilians. Coach Edgardo Bauza had said Renato Gaúcho was right in believing his team. But such despise for LDU made him change his mind, and send a message to his fellow gaffer.
âÂÂIf I was a soothsayer, I wouldnâÂÂt be a football coach. IâÂÂd be rich predicting things. What I can assure is that, to take the Libertadores from us, theyâÂÂll have to kill us.âÂÂ
