Football
PA sport 9y

River Plate strikers struggling for fitness before Copa Libertadores final

River Plate's bid to secure a third Copa Libertadores crown has been hit by injury and suspension with key players expected to miss the return leg of their final showdown against Mexican side Tigres in Buenos Aires.

The Argentinians' hopes of lifting the trophy for the first time in 19 years have been tempered after the first leg in Nuevo Leon last Wednesday ended goalless as strikers Rodolfo Mora and Tabare Viudez are struggling for fitness.

River Plate right-back Gabriel Mercado is suspended for Wednesday night's clash and fellow defender Emanuel Mammana is injured, leaving coach Marcelo Gallardo with a selection conundrum.

In contrast, Tigres' chances of becoming the first club outside South America to win the competition have been boosted by the likely return of winger Javier Aquino, who missed the first leg because of an ankle injury.

Tigres' Brazilian coach Ricardo Ferretti is also likely to be able to call on Ecuador international striker Joffre Guerron, who sat out the first leg through illness.

Something has to give at the Estadio Universitario as all three previous meetings between the two sides -- they clashed in the Copa Libertadores group stages -- ended in draws.

River Plate beat Paraguayan side Guarani 3-1 on aggregate in their semi-final, while Tigres overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit against Brazilians Internacional to win through to the final 4-3 on aggregate.

Away goals do not count in the final, which will be decided after extra-time and penalties if the score remains level.

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