It is clásico weekend in the Copa de la Liga. There’s nothing bigger in Argentinian football than that all-important game against your neighbour. With the league beginning to settle into a rhythm, we take a look at three of the biggest clásicos taking place this weekend, including the biggest game of all: the Superclásico.
River Plate vs Boca Juniors
Sunday, 20th March, 22:00 (GMT)
The most anticipated fixture of the season and one of the biggest sporting rivalries on the planet, the Superclásico takes place on Sunday and it rarely disappoints.
Last season’s Copa de la Liga Superclásico ended in a 1-1 draw with both teams having a man sent off in a feisty encounter that saw Boca commit 14 fouls to River’s 18. The two sides also met in the quarter finals of the 2021 competition and River will be looking to gain revenge on their penalty shoot-out defeat.
River come into the game in great form having won their last three games in all competitions scoring ten goals and conceding none. Boca’s form has been mixed over the last few weeks and despite ending Estudiantes’ unbeaten start last time out they had a disappointing defeat to Huracán in Fecha 5.
A blow for Boca ahead of this game is the injury to defender Carlos Izquierdoz who has fractured a metatarsal in his foot and underwent surgery on Tuesday. Although, Xeneizes are hoping to have a boost upfront with Dario Benedetto returning.
Julián Álvarez has scored three goals in his last two Superclásicos and he would like to add to this tally if this is to be his last one for Los Millonarios before he heads to Manchester City.
Independiente vs Racing Club
Saturday, 19th March, 23:45
Racing are the only team in the Copa de la Liga yet to lose a game. However, they travel to Independiente in the Avellaneda derby and anything can happen in a clásico.
Fernando Gago’s side have won three and drawn three of their games in the Copa de la Liga so far. Independiente after a loss and a win in their first two games have drawn their last four. El Rojo are a little difficult to work out: they have a goal difference of zero having scored eight and conceded eight.
¡VAMO #INDEPENDIENTE, VAMOS A GANAR!#TodoRojo 🔴 pic.twitter.com/gdHAqaNQGL
— C. A. Independiente (@Independiente) March 17, 2022
Last year we saw Independiente win 1-0 in this fixture and Racing win the other by the same scoreline. So, on these stats it is looking likely to be another close and competitive encounter.
Gimnasia vs Estudiantes
Sunday, 20th March, 19:15
Estudiantes will be looking to bounce back after their unbeaten start to the season came to an end in Fecha 6 at the hands of Boca. They come up against Gimnasia in the La Plata derby who were thumped 4-0 by River in their last game.
Despite their last result Los Pincharratas have had an impressive start to the season winning four, with just one draw and one defeat. But the same cannot be said for EL Lobo who have won just one, with two draws and three defeats.
Estudiantes are also on a high after beating Everton de Viña del Mar of Chile on Wednesday night to qualify for the group stage of the Copa Libertadores.
Last year in the La Plata derby saw a 0-0 draw and a remarkable 4-4 draw that included a hat-trick from Luis Miguel Rodríguez. However, there is no chance of him repeating his heroics again in this fixture for Gimnasia on Sunday as Pulga is now back at Colón.
