With just a few hours to start the year, one of the most attractive matches in the world will be played. River Plate and Boca Juniors, protagonists of surprising events such as the final in Madrid in 2018 or the ‘pepper spray’ in 2015, faces are again seen and this time due to the dispute of the Argentine tournament.
Both teams are in the same group along with Independiente, Argentinos, Huracán, and Arsenal in the second phase of the Diego Armando Maradona Cup. As always, both in the ensemble directed by Marcelo Gallardo and in that of Miguel Ángel Russo, the ‘coffee pot’ presence will adorn this great show.
In total there are six Colombians who would be initialists in the game: Edwin Cardona, Sebastián Villa, Frank Fabra and Jorman Campuzano on the side of the ‘xeneizes’, and Jorge Carrascal with Rafael Santos Borré for that of the ‘millionaire’. All have been essential protagonists in recent months. However, it is not yet known whether the coaches will use a regular, mixed or alternate roster due to the proximity of the next Copa Libertadores matches, in which both are in the semifinals. Also, recently Cardona and Borré have presented physical discomfort.
Historic Colombians in Boca and River
There are several national figures who have marked an important step in both clubs. Without a doubt, the presence of our country in the Argentine ‘superclassic’ comes from many years ago. Important goals and titles achieved support this theory.
On the side of Boca Juniors, it is impossible to forget what was done by Óscar Córdoba, Jorge Bermúdez and Mauricio Serna. All three started the victory against Real Madrid for the Intercontinental Cup in 2000. They shared the field with Riquelme and Palermo under the direction of ‘viceroy’ Bianchi, and won several championships, including the Copa Libertadores.
In River Plate, players like Radamel Falcao, Teófilo Gutiérrez or Juan Pablo Ángel they were fundamental with their performances. However, perhaps the two most remembered by fans are Juan Fernando Quintero, who scored the most important goal in the club’s history, and Rafael Santos Borré, the latter current top scorer in the era of Marcelo Gallardo.
How do they get to the ‘superclassic’?
The two squads have had regular and consistent performance. His participation in the Copa Libertadores has been very good and, if both pass the phase, they will play the final, as happened in 2018. In the Argentine tournament they have let points slip away, but despite that, there has been no rival that is at the level of Boca or River.
After this match, the Gallardo ‘doll’ team will play against Palmeiras and Miguel Ángel Russo’s against Santos from Brazil.
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