2009 Superclasico: Knowing They Enemy

By: Christian | October 22nd, 2009

Every season, River Plate fans demand only three things: win the league, win the Copas (the Libertadores and the Sudamericana), and beat Boca Juniors in the bi-annual Superclásico.

Unfortunately in recent years, River usually enter the country’s biggest fixture with the league out of reach and eliminated from one of the international tournaments, and this season is no different. Not only are River out of the Apertura and Sudamericana, but they will spend the rest of the season trying to qualify for next year’s Copa Libertadores while at the same time trying to avoid relegation.

While a win over their most hated rivals might seem good enough, River must instead use this opportunity to take a huge first step towards achieving the goals defined above. A win Sunday could be just the thing to not only salvage our season, but to ensure international football next year.

Winning a Superclásico is easier said than done, so with that in mind, let’s preview our opponents for this Sunday:

Only a few weeks ago, the biggest story out of Argentina was the poor performances of the nation’s two biggest club’s. Both had been eliminated in the first stage of the Copa Sudamericana by “smaller” Argentine clubs, are both were struggling in the league. Since then Boca have turned their season almost completely around, winning their last three games and pulling within 5 points of San Lorenzo in first place. What should be of concern to River Plate however is one Martín Palermo.

At 35, el Loco has been on an absolute tear during the month of October both for club and country. Just consider: On Wednesday, September 30th, he scored both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Ghana in an international friendly. The following Sunday, he scored a header from 35 meters in Boca’s 3-2 win over Vélez Sarsfield. One week later he scored possibly the most important goal in Argentina’s qualifying campaign in stoppage time against Peru, ensuring that el albiceleste would still have a chance to make it to South Africa 2010, a spot they secured the following week.

Palermo is in such good form that not even a fractured septum will prevent him from playing this Sunday. He will most likely wear a face mask.

Of course, one must remember that anything goes for a Superclásico. I remember in 2006 when River were in the midst of a very poor season but still defeated Boca 3-1 in the Apertura, so perhaps the same will apply for this year’s edition. But River must take caution and respect their opponent if they are to have any chance at victory.