Boca and Sao Paulo fight for Recopa

Boca Juniors and Sao Paulo open the fight for the South American Recopa today, at the La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires. The winners of last year's Libertadores travel to Argentina to face the winners of the Copa Sudamericana. Despite its apparent lack of glamour, the matchup is being considered by both sides as a chance to claim supremacy in the continent's soccer scene. Too bad the match comes after Internacional has already won this year's Libertadores, which may serve to question the validity of such claim. Maybe the South American Federation (Conmebol) could study the option of hosting the game earlier in the season next year.

Both teams currently lead their National Leagues, with Sao Paulo four points ahead its nearest chaser and with one game in hand, and Boca having won all 5 matches it has played in the Apertura Tournament. Alfio Basile will likely make his last match commanding the team - he'll concentrate exclusively on coaching Argentina's National side -, with former Mexican National Team coach Ricardo Lavolpe on deck to replace him. Sao Paulo will be without Junior and Leandro, injured, but will probably field a strong side with most of its regular players.

Meanwhile, Botafogo and Fluminense play in Rio de Janeiro for this year's Sudamericana. Botafogo is currently in a four-game winning streak in the Brazilian Serie A, while Fluminense hasn't won in six matches. Reinaldo and Ze Roberto will not play for Botafogo, being left out to rest for the weekend. Jefferson Feijao will replace Reinaldo in the attack, while Ale and Wando battle for Ze Roberto's spot in midfield. Fluminense will have forward Osmar playing alongside Tuta up front, with midfielder Roger playing in the left back position to replace Marcelo, who hasn't returned from the Brazilian tour to England yet.