Inter Look to Sew up Their Series With Chivas in Porto Alegre.

By: Mauro | November 19th, 2008

Sport Club Internacional vs. Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) (Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil)

LIVE @ 4pm on Fox Sports Español. Gamecast here. Online TV here.

In tonight’s match, Chivas look to do the impossible by coming into Porto Alegre and try to steal a spot in the final of the Copa Sudamericana. The spot, sort of, belongs to Internacional, who have a crazy good advantage over their Mexican opponents and could advance despite losing or drawing at home.

Inter is a club that has won some important cups in recent memory, most notably the Copa Libertadores in 2006, along with the FIFA World Club Cup of the same year and the Recopa Sudamericana in 2007. But these are not reasons why they should win tonight.

They actually should win because they had a hell of a result in Guadalajara, Mexico last week and could see the light of the final match at the end of a pretty short tunnel at this point. With two big, monstrous away goals in their favor, Inter look to make short work of Chivas and step into the final.

But all is not rosy at Inter. Unfortunately, Dunga called up midfielder monster, Alex to play in Brazil’s friendly against Portugal this week – let’s hope he gets some minutes otherwise what a waste depending on what the result here tonight is. The good news is that D’Alessandro is back in the squad, and while he doesn’t replace Alex position for position, there is another big name to keep the Chivas defense busy. And with the engine of this team, Magrao and Daniel Carvalho and Nilmar, there are plenty of other options for this side. Look for Taison to replace Alex.

For some this series is all but done. But it all depends on how you look at it. For others, myself included, the Football Gods are unforgiving and can be merciless should you decide to underestimate your opponent. Just ask Flamengo about this year’s Libertadores.

Chivas are really looking down the barrel of the gun. They need a tremendous performance to advance and word is, because of their poor season in the Mexican league, where they failed to qualify for the Liguilla (that’s playoffs to you and me), it seems their coach Efrain Flores might be on the Chivas bench for the last time. Word is Juande Ramos is going to be replacing him if you believe the Mexican press, which can be worse than the British press at times.

The biggest piece of bad news for Chivas fans and club directors is the absence of Omar Arellano. Head and shoulders, their best, most dangerous player on the pitch. With a mix of speed and great on the field vision, Arellano will be with the Mexican national team for their friendly this week. Alberto Medina will be doing his best Arellano impression.

Chivas need a 2-0 win to force penalties or better to advance outright, something that looks to be tough on paper, playing away from home and without their arguably best player. Still, Chivas have a great keeper in Javier Hernández, and he could be the difference maker tonight.

Bottom Line: This is an almost impossible match for Chivas to win. I honestly have zero hope for them since they are playing in Brazil. They have a good enough squad to turn the result around but they’ll need a prayer to get it done. Inter have it far easier. At the end of the first leg, there was word that they could field an alternate side for this one to rest their best for the final but like I mentioned earlier, I think that would really piss off the Football Gods and that could also help makes things interesting.

My Pick: 2-1 to Inter. Inter win this one without messing up their hair. They go down early and Chivas keep things interesting. Inter come level before the half and then go up in the second and never look back. Check it.

Tonight’s winner faces the winner of tomorrow night’s match between Estudiantes and Argentinos.

Feel free to check the CONMEBOL website for results and information about upcoming matches and for those of you in need of a bracket to get your heads around the competition, get an updated one here.