With the seasoning of the return of the public, River and Boca will star this Sunday in a new edition of the Argentine football Superclásico, when they face each other at the Monumental, in a match corresponding to the fourteenth date of the Professional League. The match will be played from 5:00 p.m. at the Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium, with the refereeing by Fernando Rapallini (Juan Pablo Belatti and Diego Bonfá will be his assistants) and the televising of FOX Sports Premium and TNT Sports.
The Monumental will have a capacity of 50%, according to the national authorities, in what will be the first clash with spectators between both teams after that of October 22, 2019, when they faced each other for the return of the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores in the Bombonera (Boca won 1-0, but River advanced to the final after winning the first leg 2-0).
Then and after a long stoppage of the sporting activity, product of the coronavirus pandemic, they played five times behind closed doors and they were all draws, although in the last two -because they were qualifying instances- they defined the pass through penalties and in both Boca won .
The first was on May 7, when they tied 1 to 1 in the ninety regulatory minutes in a match played in “La Bombonera” and corresponding to the quarterfinals of the Professional League and then Boca won from twelve steps 4 to 2.
Three months later, on August 4, they met again for the quarterfinals of the Argentine Cup, at the Ciudad de La Plata Stadium, where they equaled 0-0 and Boca won again on penalties (4-1 ).
River, with two changes
The “millionaire” cast, the only escort of the leader Talleres to two points (29-27), won five of their last six games and comes to the clash against Boca with three victories in a row. Taking into account the recent victory over Central Córdoba as a visitor (3-1), coach Marcelo Gallardo could make two modifications: the income of Enzo Fernández and Braian Romero for Santiago Simón and Benjamin Rollheiser, respectively.
As for Matías Suárez, although he was aiming to reach the Superclásico, Gallardo acknowledged in a press conference that “he is low” and that although “he is a little better”, he will not be enough to get into the starting eleven.
“Let’s hope he improves to see if he can play for some time, it is an issue that we suffer a lot, because he is a very important player for us,” said the “Doll” about the Cordovan attacker.
Battaglia maintains a doubt
With 21 units, Boca, undefeated since the arrival of Sebastián Battaglia (five wins and two draws) will seek to strike at Núñez. With almost everything ready to face River, the DT maintains a doubt in the middle of the field, where Esteban Rolón could appear for Rodrigo Montes to form a double five with Jorman Campuzano, or opt for a footballer of other characteristics, such as Diego González or Cristian Medina. The rest of the formation would be the same that was imposed on the last date over Colón (1-0) at home with the goal of Nicolás Orsini.
Different realities in Avellaneda
In another of the matches of the day, Racing, which wants to leave behind a complicated week, will receive in Avellaneda a Estudiantes de La Plata, who wants to continue with the positive streak. The match will be played at 8.15 pm, at the Presidente Perón stadium, with the refereeing by Fernando Echenique and televised by Fox Sports Premium.
The “Academy” spent a week full of rumors after the defeat of the previous date against Argentinos Juniors (2-0) and that is why they need to win to clear their own and others’ doubts. The team led by Claudio Ubeda is in tenth position with 18 points, far from the top, and has not won for six dates, scoring only two goals.
For this duel Úbeda will make several changes, but the good news is that he will be able to count on forward Enzo Copetti, who had his sentence reduced to two dates for an expulsion. For this reason, the former Atlético Rafaela man will share the lead with Lisandro López, while in defense Joaquín Novillo and Fernando Prado will take the places of Mauricio Martínez and Eugenio Mena.
Students with changes
After the pale 1 to 1 draw with Platense at home, Zielinski’s “pincha” wants to return to victory, and the DT wants to return to the 4-4-3 scheme and thus have a better presence in the rival field. In this case, Zielinski’s idea is to place Sánchez Miño and Pasquini in the midfield, where the presence of Jorge “cork” Rodríguez is also another option in defense.
Gymnastics, with La Pulga and Contín
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata will seek to add victories when it receives a Sarmiento de Junín who does not react, at the “Unico Diego Maradona” stadium, from 13:30, with refereeing by Silvio Trucco and televising on Fox Sports Premium.
The team that Néstor Gorosito leads wants to stretch its good moment in the tournament, as it comes from defeating Unión de Santa Fe (1-0) and Aldosivi (3-1), and a goalless draw with Vélez. For this duel, the DT will make only one change: Maximiliano Coronel will occupy the central defensive back for Germán Guiffrey.
The “Lobo” will have in the lead the experience of Luis Miguel “El Pulga” Rodríguez along with Nicolás Contín, who knew how to be praised by Diego Maradona when he led the team from La Plata.
Sarmiento, in need
Junín’s team accumulates seven games without winning and barely adds 13 points, to reach the twenty-second position and urgently needs to add points. For this duel DT Mario Sciacqua will have to make a forced change, because midfielder Julián Chicco reached the accumulation of warnings and in his place would be Sergio Quiroga or Patricio Cucchi.
Central will seek revenge
With the intention of recovering from the defeat (4-1) suffered last date at the hands of Talleres de Córdoba, Rosario Central will receive Argentinos Juniors at the Gigante de Arroyito, which will once again have an audience in the stands. The match will be played from 1.30 pm, and will be arbitrated by Pablo Dovalo and televised by TNT Sports Premium.
For this duel, coach Cristian “Kily” González is almost certain to lose his best attacking reference, midfielder Emiliano Vecchio, due to a muscular overload, so Francesco Lo Celso is emerging to replace him. Meanwhile, the one who will also be left out of the starting eleven is the Uruguayan Diego Zabala, who suffers an injury to the sole of the foot, and the youthful Gino Infantino will be in his place.
The Bug goes for more
The team led by Gabriel Milito has just defeated Racing (2-0), which helped them to cut a negative streak of five games without victories, but in any case their walk in the tournament is irregular. For this match, Milito will not be able to count on Fausto Vera, who will remain off the court for a month due to a displaced fracture in the left lower jaw, which he suffered in practice.
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