Another superclasico is upon us, The Copa Libertadores champions against the domestic league champions, River v Boca, the battle of returning icons in Carlos Tevez v Andres D’alessandro. Everything should point to two elite continental footballing teams competing what is traditionally the biggest game the continent has to offer.
While the stakes are as high as always, it is for contrasting reasons to how the picture is painted above. Both teams come into the game on the back of a disappointing start with Boca sacking manager Arruabarena on Tuesday and appointing former striker and club legend Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Although Arruabarrena’s position had been under threat for some time it is understood that boca took the decision with the superclasico in mind as the divided squad has shown no sign of unification in recent weeks. The appointment of a club idol on the week of a superclasico will certainly paper over cracks and it has been deemed more important to have a squad and fan base united rather than giving a manager time to prepare the squad tactically. Barros Schelotto will have only have had 3 days with the team going into today’s clash.
Where the game will be won and lost
The fixtures history suggests the game will be tight while very recent history suggests it will be even tighter as the two summer superclasicos were decided by a penalty in favour of River on both occasions. The fine line between passion and staying disciplined may well decide the game as the fixture has been dominated by red cards and playing with a man less in the midday Buenos Aires sun could be decisive.
The intensity of the game is at its most ferocious in the midfield where the battle culminates. Boca’s 1-0 victory in september was one in which Rodrigo Bentancur showed why he is so highly rated as his quick incisive passing was key to the victory in beating River’s front foot midfield pressing. Marcelo Gallardo’s River have looked short in both central midfield and defence and with Eder Balanta doubtful for the game this will further compound River’s woes in this area which Boca will look to expose. Nicolas Lodeiro and Bentancur will probably start in wide areas but will drift centrally and look to cause problems for Ponzio and whoever partners him. With Eder Balanta out injured Emmanuel Mammana will probably start in the centre of defence and offers him to claim a place in the side in his favoured position and demonstrate why he’s already been capped by the national team.
Rivers main threat this season has been Lucas Alario who looks more and more the complete striker every week demonstrating fantastic technical ability for the winning goal on Monday against Independiente. If Leandro Pisculichi can continue his form from the last Copa Libertadores game then he could be key to servicing Alario who would fancy his chances both aerially and on the ground against an aging Cata Diaz. Alternatively to using the technical Pisculichi, Gallardo could field a more athletic team which he has often favoured against Boca to account for the competitiveness of the fixture.
The intensity of the rivalry has somehow managed to intensify even further since the gas incident last year and what is certain is that todays game will be another chapter in the longer and fascinating history of River Plate v Boca Juniors.
