Boca Juniors and River Plate They will play a new superclassic of Argentine football on Saturday, but the coaches of both teams are analyzing using an alternative team, so that the ordinary beginners can rest in the semifinals. Liberators’ Cup Next week.
River Plate will host Palmeiras on Tuesday, January 5, and Boca Juniors will play Santos against La Bombonera the next day.
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Before, “xeneizes” and “millionaires” will face on the fourth day of the second phase of the Diego Maradona Cup (Argentine League).
With two rounds to go, Boca Juniors and River Plate lead Group A in the seven-point championship phase, followed by Argentinos Juniors (4), Independiente and Huracán (3) and Arsenal (1). A victory would guide the winner in the final, but it would not secure that place either.
For this reason, and due to the lack of rest, is that both Miguel Ángel Russo (coach of Boca Juniors) and Marcelo Gallardo (River Plate) intend to make variables in the starting line.
Colombian offensive midfielder Edwin Cardona has recovered from an enterocolitis he suffered and is at the disposal of Russo, who has all his players in optimal physical condition. In addition, it is almost a fact that striker Carlos Tevez, 36, will be on the bench to rest for Wednesday’s duel, but the partisan press assures that “Apache” asked the coach to play against River Plate as well.
(Read also: Interview: Cuadrado, the Colombian footballer of the year for EL TIEMPO).
The current local football champion has a better goal difference (+4 against +3) and would not look bad in a draw at La Bombonera. Despite the secrecy, Russo is expected to have a mixed team, with a few starters and other regular substitutes.
Russo would use other Colombians in the title: Sebastián Villa and Jorman Campuzano. Frank Fabra probably has minutes too.
The “xeneize” alignment would be: Esteban Andrada; Julio Buffarini, Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Izquierdoz, Emmanuel Mas; Sebastián Villa, Nicolás Capaldo, Jorman Campuzano; Edwin Cardona, Ramón Ábila and Mauro Zárate.
On the other hand, everything seems to indicate that River Plate, which will have a shorter day off because it hosts Palmeiras on Tuesday, will play with an alternative team, with substitutes and youngsters.
Striker Lucas ‘Oso’ Pratto, who had lost his title but was important, left for the Netherlands this week to play on loan for Feyenoord. In addition, the “millionaire” will suffer losses due to the injury of the two left defenders (Milton Casco and Fabrizio Angileri) and the Chilean central defender Paulo Díaz.
River Plate would play with Enrique Bologna; Elías López, Santiago Sosa, Javier Pinola, Jorge Moreira; Leonardo Ponzio, Bruno Zuculini, Ignacio Fernández; Lucas Beltrán, Federico Girotti and Julián Álvarez.
Colombians Rafael Santos Borré and Jorge Carrascal would not start, but, if necessary, would come into play.
The other matches in this group will be Independiente-Arsenal and Huracán-Argentinos Juniors.
Tournament mode
After a match against each rival, the winners of the A and B championship phases will face in a final to define the champion of the Cup Diego Maradona (Argentine League), who will qualify for the Copa Libertadores in 2021. The winners of each Phase will complete play each other and the winner will face the team that lost the final of the championship phase. Whoever predominates in that duel will qualify for the 2022 South American Cup.
Match schedule for the fourth date of the second phase (from 02 to 05 January):
Saturday 2: Boca Juniors-River Plate and Rosario Central-Defense and Justice.
Sunday 3: Independiente-Arsenal, Patronato-Lanús, Newell’s-Velez and Central Córdoba-Racing Club.
Monday 4: San Lorenzo-Gimnasia, Talleres-Banfield and Aldosivi-Unión.
Tuesday 5: Huracán-Argentinos, Atlético Tucumán-Colón and Godoy Cruz-Estudiantes.
EFE