Fluminense believe Libertadores Cup final a formality

Brazil's Fluminense believe overturning a two-goal deficit against Ecuadorean champions LDU in the second leg of the Libertadores Cup final yesterday is little more than a formality.

Fluminense lost 4-2 in last week's first leg in Quito but treated the result as almost a victory after they had trailed 4-1 at half-time before pulling a goal back in the second half.

LDU also believe they can do enough at the Maracana stadium to take the trophy to Ecuador for the first time in the competition's 48-year history.

The winners will earn a place in the Club World championship in Japan at the end of the year and the possibility of facing European champions Manchester United.

"They had their chance and didn't take it," said coach Renato Portaluppi after his team returned to Rio. "Now, it's our turn."

"The supporters can go to the Maracana and they will leave happy. I can guarantee that."

Team captain Luis Alberto was equally upbeat.

"It's too early to talk about the lap of honour, but we have a good chance of winning the match by a good score and taking the trophy home," he said.

Striker Washington, who is doubtful with a calf muscle injury, credited LDU's first leg win to the altitude of Quito, which lies 2,800 metres above sea level.

"LDU's best player, the altitude, is not coming," he said, adding that his side would extend their record of six straight home wins in the tournament.

"The Maracana has a mystique," he added. "We're going to maintain our 100 percent record at the Maracana."

However, LDU have drawn their last two away games, against Argentina's San Lorenzo and Mexico's America, and have already shown that they are not to be taken lightly.

Forwards Joffre Guerron and Luis Bolanos, with their speed and trickery on the flanks, have been two of the tournament's most exciting players while captain Patricio Urrutia has been inspirational in midfield.

"We have to be intelligent," said Urrutia. "The Brazilians have the obligation to come out and attack and go after the result and we have to play on their desperation and with the clock on our side.

"We have to try and cut down the spaces and control the ball."

Unlike the other knockout stages of the competition, the final will go to extra-time if the aggregate score is level at the end of tonight's game.

However, unlike previous rounds, away goals do not count double in the event of a draw.