Boca and River, the most popular clubs in Argentine football, will face each other again after 14 months, in a long-awaited reunion that will be played on Saturday (6.30 am Hours for TYC Sports) in the final straight of the Diego Cup Maradona and before the participation of both in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores.
‘Xeneizes’ and ‘Millionaires’ will face behind closed doors in La Bombonera for the fourth and penultimate date of the second round of the tournament, in the first confrontation between the two since October 22, 2019, with victory of the auriazules (1-0), but with courtship for those of the red band, who overcame this eliminatory course in the final of that Copa Libertadores.
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Since then, the organization of local tournaments and the long hiatus due to the pandemic in Argentina prevented them from crossing again, until the recent draw for the second phase of the Maradona Cup determined that both would share. group A of the Champion Phase, which has them as protagonists.
Indeed, and beyond the big goal of both is the Copa Libertadores, Boca and River lead in the positions of Group A with 7 points two dates from the grand final, with minimal advantage for the auriazules, who have a goal more difference (+4, against +3) in terms of definition.
But Miguel Ángel Russo and Marcelo Gallardo, the drivers of both teams, have not yet shown their cards, as the two also have ahead of the semifinals of the Libertadores, in which they will face successively against the Brazilian Saints (6 de January) and Palmeiras (January 5), in Buenos Aires.
With no physical problems on the home team, Russo is evaluating whether to include the stellar Carlos Tevez or give him more rest before the cup series, but the idea of the experienced coach is to present a mixed team, with some of the regular starters and some substitutes, although several are experienced players.
River, mandatory
On the visiting side, Gallardo notes that River will have one less day off for the match for the Libertadores, and that he will not have the injured Milton Casc and Fabrizio Angileri for the left winger, while the Chilean Paulo Díaz recently he was discharged due to a hip ailment and would be booked for the Cup.
The River coach announced a list of 23 players with much of their starting eleven, but there are also several youngsters on the payroll who could have the opportunity to play in the most important confrontation in Argentine football.
In addition to Boca and River, the penultimate date of the second phase of the Maradona Cup will begin on Saturday with the match between Rosario Central and Defense and Justice, while on Sunday they will play Independent-Arsenal, Patronat-Lanús, Newell’s-Vélez and Central Córdoba – Racing.
On Monday they will play Aldosivi-Unió, Sant Llorenç-Gimnàstica, Tallers-Banfield, and on Tuesday they will complete Godoy Cruz-Estudiants, Huracà-Argentins Juniors and Atlètic Tucumán-Colom.