The huge Monumental – setting of the Superclásico

Sunday evening the whole of Argentina will grind to halt and all eyes will be on the Estadio Monumental for, arguably, the biggest rivalry in sports. River Plate host Boca Juniors in the Superclásico in what is the one game in Argentine football that captures sport fans from around the world. The long history and the opportunity to lord it over the city rivals makes the Superclásico hugely important for players and fans but this season’s also sees both clubs on the up, near the top of the table and even, perhaps with aspirations of winning the title.

There may well be slightly more to play for than in recent years due to the league positions of River and Boca but sadly one thing this Superclásico will be missing is the famous atmosphere. Away fans are still banned from attending matches due to AFA’s attempts at curbing football violence. As expected, especially in light of the Superclásico, this is not a popular choice but as has been argued it also is not really combatting the real problem in Argentine football. That’s another point but robs the Superclásico of probably its greatest element all the same.

Despite neither side being favourite to win the championship they are both in the chasing pack, giving this fixture an added significance. Boca are currently in fourth, four points behind leaders, Newell’s Old Boys and River are just behind in fifth, trailing by six points. However, with the next two games for River being the Superclásico and then Newell’s, they could be right in the mix with two good results.

RIVER PLATE

Eder Alvarez Balanta so important to River’s defence

Following a pretty busy transfer window there were whisperings of a title challenge coming from River and despite not playing very well so far this season they could still make a move. The promising sign is that in spite of the performances they have been grinding out results and over the past year or so the results, particularly in El Monumental, have been strong.

One of the key reasons for this ability to grind out results is River’s defence. In the Inicial so far, they have conceded only 5 goals and 0 at home in the last 4 games, showing just how durable and tough to beat they have been. Enormous credit goes to goalkeeper, Marcelo Barovero but also Colombian, centre half, Eder Alvarez Balanta. The youngster is destined for great things but at present is the cornerstone of the River backline.

River’s problem has been creatively as the stats show. Only 8 goals scored, and in all honestly, not much more created in many of their games. Teo Gutierrez’s delayed transfer has limited his playing time and the inexperienced other strikers available to Ramon Diaz have been inconsistent, as expected at this stage of their careers.

Lanzini heading the fastest Superclásico goal earlier this year in La Bombonera

One player who has started to show some creative flair is Manuel Lanzini. His current form has been superb but a lot will fall on his young shoulders on Sunday if River are to win. The River number 10 scored the fastest Superclásico goal in history when the sides last met.

Of course, in Boca, Lanzini will be up against one of Argentina’s great number 10’s, Juan Roman Riquelme. Perhaps whoever can impact more on the game will have a huge say on the result.

Off the pitch, the match up between two of Argentina’s great managers is an intriguing one. Ramon Diaz and Carlos Bianchi have won it all and so the two of them doing battle once more will add another dimension. Riquelme has stoked the fires a little ahead of the match by claiming that he wouldn’t be too happy with Diaz if he was a River fan so expect some disparaging remarks should River win, from one of Argentine football’s “great” talkers.

Probable lineup: Barovero; Mercardo, Maidana, Balanta, Vangioni; Carbonero, Ledesma, Rojas; Lanzini; Andrada, Gutierrez

BOCA JUNIORS

Where River have been solid defensively but found goals hard to come by, Boca have been the exact opposite. In a most un-Bianchi like team, Boca have been shipping goals left, right and centre. Not helped by an injury list that has depleted the defensive ranks, but sloppy all the same.

Gago and Riquelme make a formidable midfield pairing

Predicting Boca, as a result, has been very difficult as the inconsistencies have been dramatic. For example, the very impressive performance some weeks ago to beat Velez in La Bombonera was followed by a tonking from Olimpo, who have not beaten anyone else and looked dreadful.

Worryingly for Boca is that the one consistent stat, is that they do not score many goals away from La Bombonera. In their last 3 away games, Boca have failed to score resulting in a goalless draw with Argentinos, the 3-0 defeat by Olimpo and a 2-0 loss to Estudiantes.

On the positive side, Boca have players back for the Superclásico. Former River defender, Jesús Méndez will slot back in at right back and importantly, Daniel “Cata” Díaz is fit again to play in the centre. This will greatly improve the makeshift back four that Bianchi has been fielding and should provide some stability.

Perhaps most important is the return of Juan Roman Riquelme. The veteran playmaker came back from injury last weekend in the win over Quilmes and his relationship with Fernando Gago in the heart of the midfield is crucial to Boca. The midfield pairing is probably the strongest in Argentine midfield if both are fit and River will have the work cut out to stop them.

The passing ability and possession which Gago and Riquelme bring will cause all manner of problems if they are allowed to dictate the tempo. Ramon Diaz has already identified this, “the way to beat them is pressuring the ball.” So expect, a busy River midfield to be buzzing around and snapping at them both.

Emanuel Gigliotti scoring last week for Boca

At the point of the attacks will be close season signing, Emanuel Gigliotti. Last season’s top scorer, when at Colon, has started slowly but with his brace last weekend against Quilmes appears to have settled. Full of confidence and with the creativity of Gago, Riquelme, Juan Sánchez Miño and strike partner, Juan Manuel Martinez, Gigliotti will be a threat to River’s defence.

Probable lineup: Orion; Mendez, Diaz, Perez, Zarate; Gago, Erbes, Sanchez Miño; Riquelme; Martinez, Gigliotti

Prediction: The bookies have River as slight favourites as the home advantage has been so important this season in the Inicial, and the two sides form at home and on the road, suggest that is the likeliest of outcomes.
Boca will not have the backing of their supporters in the stadium which could have some effect.
However, I see Boca breaching the River defence so I am opting for a repeat 1-1 draw, as we had back in May in La Bombonera.