It's time for the opening match. This Wednesday, Flamengo takes the field chasing its main goal of the season. When the ball rolls at Nilton Santos Stadium at 21:45 pm, the squad seeking its second CONMEBOL Libertadores Cup title will take the field in one of world football's greatest derbies. Flamengo vs. River Plate will open Group 4, which also features Emelec (Ecuador) and Santa Fé (Colombia), and will pit the only teams in the group that have already lifted the trophy against each other. 

Flamengo will not have the nation behind them for this match. Due to the events that occurred in the Copa Sudamericana final, the match will be played behind closed doors. Flamengo has been punished and will play one more match in the group stage, against Emelec, under the same circumstances. 

Fans or not, the Mais Querido team has a single mindset. Opening with a win is crucial. Even knowing their opponent is one of the most traditional teams on the continent, Flamengo wants to assert its home advantage and leave Nilton Santos with three points from the opening match. 

The entire plan was designed to rest players, and now coach Paulo César Carpegiani has his full squad available for the match. Cuéllar, who was sent off in the Copa Sudamericana final, is out. The team will be decided solely by the coach. 

The last time Flamengo and River Plate faced each other was a long time ago. It's been 18 years since their Mercosur Cup quarterfinal clash. The Argentines prevailed on that occasion, winning at the Maracanã (1-2) and at the Monumental de Nuñez (4-3). 

The club's last victory in this match dates back to October 1993, in the Copa Libertadores Champions League, when we won the second leg of the quarterfinals at the Maracanã stadium, 1-0, with a goal by Rogério. In the first leg, River had won 2-1. The match went to penalties, where we advanced 6-5, after Gilmar saved penalties from Hernán Diaz and Corti, and converted his own. 

Flamengo and River Plate have a combined 48 appearances in the CONMEBOL Libertadores da América, but they only met in the semifinals in 1982. The format was different. Flamengo, then defending champions, had already entered this stage and faced River and Peñarol. In both clashes, Mengo categorically won. 

Overall, Flamengo and River Plate have faced each other 15 times in history, with seven Brazilian victories, six Argentine triumphs, and two draws. In goals scored, Flamengo again holds a 25-21 advantage. Of the 15 matches played, eight were in Argentina, six in Brazil, and one in Peru.

All of the teams' matches in Brazil have been played at Maracanã. Flamengo won four and River Plate won two. This will be the first time the teams have met at Nilton Santos. 

Flamengo and River Plate have only one goalless draw in the history of this match. The only 0-0 draw occurred on September 26, 09, in the first round of the now-defunct Mercosur Cup. The match was played at the Monumental de Núñez Stadium in Buenos Aires.

Aires. Goalkeeper Júlio César started in this match.

Due to the events that occurred in the 2017 Conmebol South American Cup final, the game will be played behind closed doors and there will be no ticket sales. Flamengo asks fans not to move around the stadium. 

The Copa Libertadores debut will be broadcast on TV. The channels SporTV, TV Globo (RJ, DF, RS, SC, ES, GO, TO, MS, MT, BA, SE, AL, PB, RN, CE, PI, MA, PA, AM, RO, AC, RR, AP, Juiz de Fora-MG, Uberlândia-MG, Ituiutaba-MG and Uberaba-MG) and Fox Sports will broadcast images of the match to the Nation throughout the country. Those who are proud to be members make the team stronger and always have more Flamengo: discounts on tickets and pay-per-view, exclusive videos to stay up-to-date, advantages in official stores to get the jersey and other products, and much more. Click and join now! 

You can also follow the real-time action on Flamengo's official social media channels using the hashtag #FLAxRIV. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram and like our page on Facebook. FlaTV also brings exclusive behind-the-scenes and match footage to the Rubro-Negra Nation. Sign up with one click, it's free!