Round 1 of the title bout

In a fight scheduled to take two rounds - with the possibility of extra time if still tied -, Sao Paulo and Internacional play tonight in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores final. For the second time ever, and second year in a row, two teams from the same country will play for South America's top honours in club football. Defending champions Sao Paulo will try to repeat what they did last year, when they defeated Atletico Paranaense 5-1 in the aggregate score at the final to take the title. This time, however, the team from Morumbi will decide its fate away from home, with the second leg scheduled to take place next week in Porto Alegre.

Sao Paulo might be the slight favourite for tonight's matchup, with an unbeaten record in Libertadores elimination games played at its stadium. Just as impressively, the team lost only once - in this year's opening stage to Chivas - at its stadium in the Libertadores in the last 19 years. But if a team can beat them, this team is Internacional, winners of four of the last five games between the two sides. Inter is well prepared and will pose a tough challenge to Sao Paulo. To win the title, however, the team must overcome years of mounting pressure by its fans, that demand the South American title to gain some ground in continental glory in relation to crosstown rivals Gremio, Libertadores winners in 1983 and 1995.

In any case, the final promises to be a very exciting - albeit nervous - matchup between two of the top current club sides in Brazilian football. The winner will get the chance to play for the world title in December, and will also boost its morale ahead of the final stretch in the Brazilian Serie A.