BACKGROUND :
The match-up with River Plate against Boca Juniors will be the 172nd meeting of the two teams. Even though Boca has won the most matches with a total of 61 wins, the Xeneize (Phoenix) hasn't won at the El Monumental de Monumental de Nٌْez since 1997. However Boca must win this match, if the Xeneize wants to even think about winning the 2002 Apertura. At the present time, Boca finds itself 8 points behind Independiente. River Plate is in the same boat as Boca, as the Los Millonarios try to stay pace with the Diablo Rojos of the Avellaneda (Independiente). River is 5 points behind the Diablos Rojos, so both teams will be rooting for Rosario Central to pull of the unbelievable at the Doble Visera of Avellaneda, the home to Independiente.
LATEST TEAM NEWS :
River Plate:
River fans will hate me pointing this fact out, but River is trying to find a way to recover from their embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Banfield. Ok, the match was suspended in the 66th minute, but still that was a straight embarrassment to the organization. This result shows that River has a hard time staying focused on the task at hand. Can one say that River is in a crisis; the answer must be an astounding yes. Any team that gets beat 5-0 needs a couple of weeks to regroup. Unfortunately for the Los Millonarios and their faithful, they must worry about hard charging Boca coming into their El Monumental and trying to establish their dominance of Buenos Aires.
Boca Juniors:
Boca is trying to find a way to claw back into title race. The year 2002 has the look of a year where Boca won't be able to put any trophies into their vaults. This is unheard of the loyal following of Boca. A following that includes the greats like Diego Maradona. A following that wants results at all costs. Oscar Tabarez has been the one feeling the heat of this lacklustre year and it will be up to the Uruguayan to guide Boca to the promise land. Unfortunately for him, Boca will have a short leash and one can be sure that he will be yank with the ultimate quickness.
WHO IS HOT
River Plate:
After losing 5-0 and the only reason why the result didn't stand was the fact that the River fans just went berserk. So with that fact, River doesn't have anyone playing hot. From the Board of the Directors, down to the players, River must somehow instill the work ethnic of concentrating at the match at hand. At the moment, it is to defeat Boca. Then the Los Millonarios can begin to worry about what is happening in Avellaneda.
Boca Juniors:
Since Guillermo Barros Schelotto has returned from his injury earlier this season, his inspiration has given the Xeneize a strong presence up top. With a strong body, but with the moves of a gazelle, Barros Schelotto (or Melli – Chapita as he is called by Boca fans) is a hard person to stop when gets the ball and is running towards goal. It will be interesting to see how River defends Melli – Chapita.
WHO IS NOT
River Plate:
Manuel Pellegrini must be the person that takes full responsibility for River's disappointment at the moment. Mental lapses like what happened in Round 13 are totally unforgettable. Pellegrini believes that one must put the Round 13 debacle against Banfield behind them. I don't think one can truly forget and that must work on the mental psyche of the Los Millonarios.
Boca Juniors:
Marcelo "El Chelo" Delgado has shown in the past that he has a hard time in playing in big matches. One can remember last year against Bayern Munich in the Inter-Continental Cup, his stupid dives perhaps cost his team, as he was sent off and left Boca play with 10 for an extremely long time during that match. El Chelo will need to keep his cool or Tabarez might have to look to other alternatives, like Hector Bracamonte or Franco Cangele. This is Boca's last chance for glory and possibly Tabarez's job future.
Buy on AliExpress.com
)
