2009 Superclasico: Knowing Thyself

By: Christian | October 23rd, 2009

Yesterday I wrote about Boca Juniors’s recent form coming into this Sunday’s Superclásico. Now let’s look at the Good Guys:

How to summarize This River’s season? As usual, the numbers tell the whole story. Through nine league games, los millonarios have won just one game, barely beating a team that last year played in the second division. They’ve drawn three and lost five, leaving them in 16th place in the Apertura and only 17 points off one of the promocion spots in the relegation table, all while allowing 15 goals against 9 scored. And let’s not forget the Sudamericana elimination.

So with all that in mind, how can River have any realistic chance at beating a rejuvenated Boca on Sunday? They can, but it will require them to stick to the basic fundamentals of football. Little things, like not blowing an early lead, or allowing three goals before half time.

Seriously, our defense will have to be perfect if we are to contain Martín Palermo and Juan Román Riquelme, two players in Boca’s strong attack. I have enough faith in our keeper Daniel Vega, but it’s the defenders in front of him who worry me. Gustavo Cabral and Nico Sánchez, the likely center back pairing, will need to be sharp throughout the game, and the holding midfielders (Diego Barrado? Matías Almeyda?) must be able to clear any potential threat and push the ball forward.

Who they plan on getting the ball to is another issue entirely. Andrés Ríos and Daniel Villalba are unproven, and Diego Buonanotte when used as a forward is just not convincing in that role. Cristian Fabbiani? Unfortunately it looks like el Ogro will be making an appearance; let’s pray he feels like showing up.

As usual, it will be our veterans Ariel Ortega and Marcelo Gallardo who will try to lead the squad to victory. Both are coming off injuries and it’s unsure how long they will feature in the game. Regardless of how much playing time they get though, both always show up for the Superclásico, and if River should find a way to win, you can be sure that Ortega and Gallardo will have had a part in it.

I honestly have no clue how Sunday’s match will end. River have been so bad this year I can’t see them beating a lower table “B” side, let alone Boca. To win they will have to summon up a strength and consistency that has been missing all season long, and Leo Astrada, who has yet to win since coming aboard as manager, must instill confidence in his side. Make no mistake however -Boca are not invincible. They can be had and they can be beaten, and River have the players necessary to do it. All they need is the heart.