MADRID, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena on Thursday welcomed supporters of Argentinean sides, River Plate and Boca Juniors to the Spanish capital and said she hoped "there would not be one act of violence" between them.
Boca and River, arguably two of the bitterest rivals in world football, will play the return leg of the final of the Copa Libertadores in Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday after the return leg, which was due to be played in River Plate's Estadio Monumental had to be postponed due to violent scenes carried out by River Plate supporters before the game started.
The Boca Juniors team bus had several windows broken by missiles as it approached the stadium and the players affected by teargas fired by police to disperse the crowd.
Meanwhile TV images also showed hundreds of fans breaking down security barriers to gain entry into the ground without tickets.
The game in Madrid will be surrounded by a massive security operation aimed at separating rival supporters, while Manuela asked rival fans to be on their best behavior.
"Madrid is a city of peace," said the Mayor, who added that she "would have liked the game that is going to be played between two great teams, to have been played in Buenos Aires, which is where it should have been held."
Nevertheless she added "Welcome Argentina, welcome to the two teams. May the best team win and may everyone enjoy the sport and please without any violence."
Around 10,000 Boca and River Plate fans are expected to travel from Argentina for the game, while there are an estimated 250,000 Argentineans living in Spain.
