Chaco BoCA Juniors vs River Plate
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Chaco BoCA Juniors vs River Plate Live Streams and TV Channels
| Country | Channels |
|---|---|
| United States | FOX Deportes |
| *Don't see your country or favourite channel listed? Let us know and we will include it. | |
Chaco BoCA Juniors vs River Plate Delayed and Repeat Broadcasts
| Country | Date/Time (US/Eastern) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Thu, Jan 26 14:00pm | FOX Deportes |
| Mon, Jan 30 14:00pm | FOX Deportes | |
| *Don't see your country or favourite channel listed? Let us know and we will include it. | ||
Chaco BoCA Juniors vs River Plate Match Preview
Boca Juniors will aim to reconfirm their supremacy when they clash with arch-rivals River Plate in the Argentine superclasico on Wednesday.
Juan Riquelme will miss Wednesday's superclasico
For the first time in the entire history of the Buenos Aires derby, the rivals will face each other coming from different divisions, as while Boca are the reigning Argentine champions, River ended 2011 in second place of the second division, after having been relegated from the top-flight midway through last year.
Nevertheless, the superclasico is always a special occasion, and this time won't be the exception, as both teams are eager to inflict defeat upon each other regardless of whether it is a pre-season friendly or a top-of-the-table league clash.
Boca Juniors come into the clash as the odds on favourites, due to the fact that they put an end to a three-year wait for the Argentine championship last December, when they finished unbeaten throughout their triumphant campaign.
The last time the rivals met was in May of 2011, when Boca defeated River 2-0 at the Bombonera stadium courtesy of an own goal from former River goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo and a headed goal from former Boca goal-poacher Martin Palermo.
Julio Falcioni, the coach of Boca, counts with a formidable squad, however, he will be forced to make several modifications from the side that lost against Independiente in Mar del Plata. Clemente Rodriguez and Walter Erviti will miss the match after picking up injuries in that match, and will be replaced by Franco Sosa and Nicolas Colazo, respectively.
While midfielder Pablo Ledesma, who recently returned to the club from Catania, will likely take the field, as will Nicolas Blandi, who will replace the suspended Dario Cvitanich in attack.
Boca star Juan Roman Riquelme has yet to reach full-fitness and will miss the match. But the playmaker is expected to feature in the re-match between the sides at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium in Mendoza on Sunday.
Meanwhile, River boss Matias Almeyda has yet to officially confirm which of his players will step onto the field on Wednesday. However, according to reports Venezuelan midfielder Cesar Gonzalez is expected to replace the injured Lucas Ocampos.
Everything seems to indicate that Almeyda will opt for the offensive trio of Alejandro Dominguez, Fernando Cavenaghi and Rogelio Funes Mori, meaning recent French signing David Trezeguet will have to wait for his opportunity from the substitute's bench.
As is the case each time the rivals clash, the superclasico will surely be fought out right until the death. Both sides have much at stake, as while high-flying Boca will aim to reconfirm their superiority, River will do their utmost to lower their egos.
Chaco BoCA Juniors vs River Plate Match Report
Nicolas Blandi scores twice to lead Boca Juniors to a comfortable victory over arch-rivals River Plate in the Argentine superclasico on Wednesday.
Nicolas Blandi scored a brace for Los Xeneizes
The historic derby, because it was the first since the relegation of River Plate to the Argentine second division, was decided by a goal in each half by talented Boca Juniors striker Nicolas Blandi.
River pushed to the attack straight from the kick-off and although they looked extremely dangerous, their approach appeared to backfire as from the run of play Blandi fired Boca ahead in the 6th minute when he connected to a precise right-wing cross from Pablo Mouche with a bullet header.
River were evidently shell-shocked after conceding the goal, and lost their head altogether when key player Alejandro Dominguez received his marching orders in the 26th minute when he repeatedly protested to referee Diego Abal after being awarded a yellow card for a harsh foul on Boca midfielder Pablo Ledesma.
The Argentine Apertura champions dominated their opponents from that instance, but although they looked dangerous at all moments they couldn't double their lead. At times Boca were much too hot to handle for a vulnerable River outfit, and this had much to do with the wealth of depth they have in their midfield.
In the second period Matias Almeyda, the coach of River, made a number of changes to his squad, with the introductions of Cesar Gonzalez and French striker David Trezeguet, who unlike on his debut when he scored against Racing Club, couldn't get himself into the game.
Los Millonarios put together a nice passing game, but left big gaps in their midfield and defence, which Boca tried to take advantage of with numerous swift counter attacks. But they failed to make the most of them due to the fact that some of their players, like Mouche preferred to go on greedy solo runs.
In the 66th minute Boca were reduced to ten-men, when Facundo Roncaglia was ejected for a second bookable offence. Due to this, River took command of the game as they searched for an equaliser.
Moments later River came close to drawing level through Fernando Cavenaghi and then Jonatan Maidana, but couldn't find the back of the Boca net.
Despite River's best intentions, in the 79th minute Blandi put the match well beyond their reach when he scored Boca's second goal of the night when he poked home an inch-perfect right-sided cross from Nicolas Colazo after a remarkable collective move.
Despite the result, River will have an opportunity to avenge their defeat to Boca when the sides meet again in Mendoza on Sunday.