Atletico must overcome a 2-0 first-leg defeat if they are to lift South America's top club trophy for the first time and deny their Paraguayan opponents their fourth.
Bernard, who missed the first leg in Asuncion last week through suspension, is anxious to get on with the decider at the Mineirao, Belo Horizonte's newly-refurbished World Cup stadium.
"I always say I want the anxiety to last, as if it were the last match of my career... I'm going to give my maximum, what I can and can't (give). I have a great opportunity," Bernard told a news conference on Monday.
The 20-year-old, a Confederations Cup winner with Brazil last month, believes feelings of anxiety can be positive, saying: "I feel cold in my stomach, not only on account of the final but in all matches I feel anxiety.
"I saw Rogerio Ceni saying that when you stop feeling that cold in your stomach you've got to retire," he said referring to Sao Paulo's 40-year-old goalkeeper, a double Libertadores Cup winner.
Brazilian media said Atletico badly missed Bernard, who has been linked with a possible move to England's Arsenal, in Asuncion as they failed to create danger from the wings.
PENALTY PREPARATIONS
Atletico coach Cuca had his players practising penalties during Monday's training.
The Brazilian side reached the final with a shootout victory over Newell's Old Boys of Argentina and a last-gasp penalty save by Victor got them through their quarter-final against Tijuana.
However, there is the potential for a high-scoring match with Olimpia very dangerous on the break as they proved again in their first-leg win.
Atletico and Olimpia are the highest-scoring teams in the competition. Both scored 16 goals in six group-stage matches and the Brazilians have taken their tally to 27 in the knockout rounds, against 25 by the Paraguayans.
The home side will be missing both first-choice fullbacks through suspension. Richarlyson was sent off in Asuncion and Marcos Rocha is out through accumulation of yellow cards.
Junior Cesar is expected to replace Richarlyson while Cuca fielded usual forward Luan as a wing back during Monday's practice.
Teams (probable):
Atletico Mineiro: Victor; Michel (or Luan), Leonardo Silva, Rever, Junior Cesar; Pierre, Josue, Bernard, Ronaldinho; Diego Tardelli, Jo
Olimpia: Martin Silva; Julio Manzur, Herminio Miranda, Salustiano Candia; Alejandro Silva, Wilson Pittoni, Eduardo Aranda, Matias Gimenez, Nelson Benitez; Juan Manuel Salgueiro, Fredy Bareiro
Referee: Wilmar Roldan (Colombia)
(Additional reporting by Pedro Fonseca in Rio de Janeiro and Daniela Desantis in Asuncion; Writing by Rex Gowar in London; Editing by Clare Fallon)
Share
