Boca Juniors will aim to reconfirm their supremacy when they clash with arch-rivals River Plate in the Argentine superclasico on Wednesday.
Fierce rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate clash in the latest edition of the always eagerly-awaited Argentine superclasico at the Centenario stadium in Chaco on Wednesday.
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.
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.
