The 2018 Copa Libertadores final was one of the most highly anticipated football matches in recent history. It was supposed to be a historic clash between two fierce rivals, Boca Juniors and River Plate, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
However, due to unforeseen events, the final had to be moved from Argentina to Madrid, Spain. This decision left many fans wondering why the game had to be played so far away from home.
The Background
The Copa Libertadores is the most prestigious club competition in South America, and it is equivalent to the UEFA Champions League in Europe. The tournament features the top clubs from across the continent, including Argentina’s Boca Juniors and River Plate.
In November 2018, Boca Juniors and River Plate were scheduled to play each other in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final at Boca’s home ground, La Bombonera. However, just hours before kickoff, a group of River Plate supporters attacked the Boca team bus outside the stadium. Several players were injured as a result of this attack.
The Fallout
As a result of this incident, CONMEBOL (the governing body of South American football) decided to postpone the match indefinitely and later announced that it would be played outside Argentina due to security concerns.
After several days of deliberation and negotiation between various parties involved, it was decided that the match would be played at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Spain on December 9th.
The Reasons for Choosing Madrid
The decision to move the match to Spain was not taken lightly by CONMEBOL officials. There were several factors that contributed to this decision:
- Security concerns: After what happened with Boca’s team bus attack outside La Bombonera stadium, there were legitimate concerns about safety during an event as high-profile as this.
- Neutral ground: Both Boca Juniors and River Plate are from Buenos Aires, and playing the final in either team’s home stadium would have given them an unfair advantage. A neutral venue was required to ensure a fair and level playing field.
- Availability: Finding a suitable venue at short notice was not an easy task. Many stadiums were unavailable due to scheduled events, and others did not meet the necessary requirements.
The Fallout of the Decision
The decision to move the final to Madrid was met with mixed reactions from fans, players, and officials alike. While some saw it as a necessary step to ensure safety and fairness, others felt that it was unfair to both teams involved.
For Boca Juniors fans, it was particularly hard to accept. They felt that they had been robbed of the chance to win the trophy on home soil, in front of their own supporters. Many fans chose not to travel to Madrid for the game, citing the high cost of travel and accommodation.
In contrast, River Plate fans were more accepting of the decision. They saw it as an opportunity to win the trophy on foreign soil and show that their team could perform under pressure in any environment.
In Conclusion
The decision to move the Copa Libertadores final from Buenos Aires to Madrid was a controversial one that sparked heated debate amongst football fans worldwide. While some felt that it was necessary for safety reasons, others felt that it robbed both teams of a fair chance at winning on home soil.
Regardless of one’s opinion on this matter, there is no denying that it was one of the most memorable football matches in recent history. The fact that it had to be played so far away from home only adds to its intrigue and mystique.