It was a pretty dreadful superclásico but Boca Juniors claimed a hugely significant victory over bitter rivals, River Plate inside the Estadio Monumental to reclaim top-spot in the Primera and all but end the challenge of Marcelo Gallardo’s Copa Libertadores champions. Nicolás Lodeiro’s first half goal proved to be enough in a match that was low on quality and low on opportunities at either end.
Marcelo Gallardo had selection problems before kick-off after the departure of Ramiro Funes Mori to Everton and injuries to Leonel Vangioni and Jonathan Maidana prompting El Muñeco to name a starting back-four consisting of new signing, Milton Casco, inexperienced Emmanuel Mammana and the returning Eder Álvarez Balanta. Carlos Tevez and pacy partner, Sebastián Palacios would have been relishing the opportunity to test this makeshift unit but within a minute of kickoff it was Boca forced to reshuffle. The forever fragile, Fernando Gago fell to the turf under no challenge with just seconds on the clock and needed to be replaced by Nicolás Lodeiro with what looked like a serious achilles tendon rupture.
The introduction of Lodeiro for Gago if anything made Boca more attacking and River Plate’s high defensive line made Sebastián Palacios a constant out-ball as Los Xeniezes looked to strike on the break. Following a couple of close calls already, Boca took the lead and it was a long ball that caught River’s defence napping that caused it. Balanta could not keep up with Palacios and his pass across to Carlos Tevez looked certain to lead to the opener. However, Marcelo Barovero smothered the Argentina international superbly only for the loose ball to be smashed into the net by substitute, Lodeiro.
Marcelo Gallardo knew that defeat would probably signal the end of his side’s title challenge but despite Lucas Alario headers drawing good saves from Agustín Orión either side of half-time, his side rarely threatened.
Boca looked content with allowing River to dominate possession in the second half as it never looked like converting into chances and so Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side held on for an invaluable three points. A superclásico victory is always reason for celebration but this takes Boca a step closer to the 2015 Primera title.
golazo argentino 