Whenever the Argentine season begins, all eyes are glued on Boca Juniors and River Plate. The archrivals aren’t only the country’s two most successful clubs, they’re also the most widely supported, with fans all over Latin America.
Between them, they’ve won a combined 56 league championships. On the international stage, both clubs are also considered serious threats each year, particularly Boca, which has won the Copa Libertadores six times, including four of the past nine editions of the tournament.
River, on the other hand, hasn’t lifted the trophy since 1996. That, along with the fact that it finished rock bottom in the Argentine Apertura Championship last season, means the club has been forced to make a number of significant changes.
Not only did River experience the worst campaign of its 107-year history, but it also had to watch as its archrivals lifted the championship when they finished ahead of both Tigre and San Lorenzo after a decisive three-way playoff last December.
This year, much is expected of both teams as they confront the Argentine Clausura and the Copa Libertadores. The latter, obviously, is the priority of both sides.
River, in particular, has a lot to prove. So far, signs have been good, as it’s undefeated after four matches with three wins and one draw. Its 2-0 win over Banfield at the Monumental Stadium last Sunday not only allowed it to climb atop the league standings, but it was also the first time River won three straight in eight months.
After last season’s disaster, Néstor Gorosito was appointed as the permanent replacement of Diego Simeone, and he seems to have already injected a winning mentality into the side.
River also made a huge buy in former Newell’s Old Boys striker Cristian Fabbiani. El Ogro, as he is often called because of his weight problems and because he once celebrated a goal with a Shrek mask, has yet to start for the club. But in three appearances off the bench, he has made a huge impact, setting up two goals and scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory at Rosario Central.
The return of experienced playmaker Marcelo Gallardo also could be a valuable addition to the side. After finding limited success in Major League Soccer with D.C. United, El Muñeco was lured back to River in an attempt to rediscover his form. Gallardo has yet to debut for the club due to injury, but will be on the squad for the Buenos Aires derby with San Lorenzo on Sunday.
With these changes, River is expected to continue to improve in the coming weeks, and will be hoping to relive its Clausura Championship title triumph of last year. Los Millonarios also will be desperate to avenge two preseason derby defeats to Boca (the first official superclásico of the year takes place in April at Boca’s La Bombonera).
Boca may have beaten River comfortably during the preseason, but it has struggled to find its feet so far in league play, with two wins and two losses. Carlos Ischia counters with an abundance of talent in his squad, but his side hasn’t lived up to expectations, and defeats to Newell’s Old Boys and Lanús suggest that Boca’s domination could be over.
In Boca’s only Libertadores thus far, it could only afford a 1-0 victory at home over Deportivo Cuenca. If it weren’t for Cuenca’s lack of effectiveness in front of goal, the Ecuadorians could have returned home with a point.
On Tuesday, when asked if there is the slightest possibility that Boca could finish bottom of the table, as River did last season, Ischia bluntly said, “No way, there’s no chance of that happening, because we have the best team, the best squad and another mentality. I don’t know what mentality they have over there [at River], but to finish bottom says everything. Boca will fight for the championship because we have to fight for everything we play for, we can’t afford to lose track, even if the Libertadores is our priority.”
But although the situation isn’t too bright at the moment, as Ischia explained, the depth in the Boca squad means that the club is expected to fight at both fronts. As is the case each year, Boca’s main priority will be the Copa Libertadores, and for that reason, Ischia likely will rest his starters during league play to confront the more important Libertadores matches.
Unlike River, Boca has the necessary depth to turn out with a weakened side and yet remain competitive. Last year it suffered the absences of Rodrigo Palacio and Martín Palermo, who were both out injured. But out of nowhere emerged exciting attackers like Lucas Viatri (Boca’s top scorer in the Apertura), Ricardo Noir, Nicolás Gaitán and Pablo Mouche. While Luciano Figueroa, who was purchased from Genoa to replace Palermo, was also important for the success of the side.
Now, with Palacio (who scored a brilliant winner against Cuenca) and Palermo back to full fitness, Boca is likely to have even less problems when it comes to scoring goals. This is the main difference between los Xeneizes and River.
Another aspect of Boca’s game that should improve is its defense. This was perhaps its worst concern last season, and in particular the inconsistency of its goalkeepers, namely youngster Javier García.
But after long negotiations with Getafe, the club managed to bring home former goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri. In his first stint at Boca, the now 36-year-old won 14 titles, including the Libertadores, the Intercontinental Cup and the Copa Sudamericana. Boca’s goalposts will be secure as long as El Pato is between them.
Los Xeneizes may be off form at the moment, but as the weeks pass by, they’re expected to reach their full potential. If and when that happens, it will be very difficult to stop them.
Boca Juniors and River Plate may have experienced contrasting campaigns last season, but from what we have seen so far this year the situation has evened itself out. Boca will be expected to claim another title this season, but will surely keep a close eye on the improvement of its crosstown rivals. River will be hoping to restore some lost pride, and a title triumph would be the perfect way to achieve it.
Gregory Sica
Loading ...
Leave a Reply