Botafogo, looking for their first Copa Libertadores title, will host Peñarol in Rio de Janeiro, a team that’s returning to the semifinals after a long absence and is obsessed with achieving "the sixth."

The Uruguayan team last reached this stage in 2011 when they were managed by their current coach, Diego Aguirre. They were knocked out by Vélez Sarsfield in a tournament they won back in the distant years of 1960, 1961, 1966, 1982, and 1987.

Botafogo's history with the Libertadores is a lot more bitter, with their best runs happening way back in 1963 and 1973 when they made it to the semifinals. This time, led by Portuguese coach Artur Jorge, "the Lone Star" team comes in strong, sitting at the top of the Brazilian league with a solid defense, creative play, and sharp shooting up front.

Angolan center-back Bastos leads the defensive setup for one of the teams with the fewest goals conceded in the Brazilian league, thanks in part to the effective goalkeeper John. In midfield, Luiz Henrique, a former Betis player who has returned to Brazil full of energy, has found perfect partners in Argentine Thiago Almada and Venezuelan Jefferson, all members of their national teams.

In the 4-2-3-1 formation set up by the Portuguese coach, Igor Jesus is the lone striker, having just made a successful debut with the Brazilian national team, even pushing the promising young talent Endrick from Real Madrid to the bench. In Rio de Janeiro, Peñarol will miss Javier Cabrera, a 32-year-old forward who’s a key figure in Aguirre’s plans and will sit out the match due to injury.

Still, Peñarol has a strong bench, and Cabrera’s spot will likely be filled by Argentine Leonardo Sequeira, who is expected to team up with Maxi Silveira, the Uruguayan team's top scorer in this Copa Libertadores with six goals. Aguirre will rely on these attackers for a game that will likely be played on the counter, with the skillful Leo Fernández orchestrating the midfield. However, the Montevideo team will also lean on the strength of a well-drilled defense, with goalkeeper Washington Aguerre as one of their mainstays.

In fact, Aguerre was the standout player for Peñarol in the quarterfinals, where they knocked out Flamengo, who were considered one of the title favorites at that point. The return leg will be played next week in Montevideo, and whoever advances will face either Atlético Mineiro or River Plate, who, if they reach the final, will play for the title at their own Monumental stadium.