They have produced both finalists in three of the last four seasons, and as we approach this year’s semi-finals, which have their opening legs coming Wednesday and Thursday, it might happen once again.
Argentina’s River Plate is the primary contender to break Brazil’s stranglehold over the competition, in part because their stadium will host the final on November 30.
In a historic and contentious 2018 final matchup against fierce rivals Boca Juniors in Madrid, they were the final non-Brazilian team to win the cup under coach Marcelo Gallardo.
Following that, Gallardo’s River Plate saw dwindling results after being defeated by a slim margin.
After Gallardo resigned, Martin Demichelis, a former Manchester City defender, took his position, and River Plate lost to a Brazilian team in the second round of the previous season.
