Boca and River, the most popular clubs in Argentine football, will meet again after 14 months, in a long-awaited meeting that will be played on Saturday (18.30 at ESPN and TYC Sports) in the final stage of the Diego Maradona Cup and before participation of both in the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
‘Xeneizes’ and ‘Millonarios’ will meet behind closed doors at La Bombonera for the fourth and penultimate date of the second round of the tournament, in the first match between the two on October 22, 2019, with the victory of the Golden Ones (1-0), but with celebration for those of the red band, who overcame that tie to the final of that Copa Libertadores.
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Since then, the organization of local tournaments and the extended break due to the Argentine pandemic have prevented them from passing again, until the recent draw for the second phase of the Maradona Cup established that both were to share Group A of the Champions Phase. , which has them as protagonists.
Indeed, and beyond the fact that the big goal of both is Copa Libertadores, Boca and River command in Group A positions with 7 points, two dates before the grand final, with a minimal advantage for the auriazules, who have a goal difference more high (+4, compared to +3) in definition.
However, Miguel Ángel Russo and Marcelo Gallardo, drivers of both teams, have not yet shown their cards, as the two also have the Libertadores semifinals ahead, in which they will face Brazilians Santos (January 6) and Palmeiras (January 5), in Buenos Aires.
With no physical problems on the home team, Russo is considering whether to include star 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 many are experienced players.
River, necessary
For the visiting team, Gallardo considers that River will have an extra day off for the Libertadores match and that he will not have the injured Milton Casco and Fabrizio Angileri for the left defender, while the Chilean Paulo Díaz recently was discharged for a hip disease and will be reserved for the Cup.
Coach River has launched a list of 23 people called up with a good part of the eleven from the beginning, but there are also some young people in the payroll who could have the opportunity to play the most important match in Argentine football.
Besides Boca and River, the penultimate date of the second phase of the Maradona Cup will start on Saturday with the match between Rosario Central and Defensa y Justicia, while on Sunday they will play Independiente-Arsenal, Patronato-Lanús, Newell’s-Vélez and Central Córdoba. -Race.
Aldosivi-Unión, San Lorenzo-Gimnasia, Talleres-Banfield will play on Monday, and Godoy Cruz-Estudiantes, Huracán-Argentinos Juniors and Atlético Tucumán-Colón will complete on Tuesday.