Boca Hitting Stride Before Superclasico

If Boca are to mount a challenge for the ever-competitive Argentine Aperatura Championship this season, it is most likely that they will look to one match as the turning point. On October 4th at La Bombonera, Boca hosted Velez Sarsfield, the reigning champions, with revenge on their minds.

At the start of the season, Velez eliminated Boca from the Copa Sudamericana over two legs during a horrible stretch for l os xeneizes  that included a dreadful home loss to Mendoza side Godoy Cruz and a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to a Juan Sebastian Veron-inspired Estudiantes side in La Plata. 

But it was on October 4th that the tides turned, and Boca's sleeping giant, Juan Roman Riquelme, injured during much of the month of September and largely ineffective in the few games in which he played, took control.

Trailing 2-1, Riquelme scored a trademark effort from the top of the penalty area after a neat run through the Velez defense. Then, just nine minutes later, captain Martin Palermo scored one of the most amazing goals in history, a header from nearly 40 meters after a poor clearance from keeper German Montoya, to give Boca an improbable 3-2 win. 

In the following match away to Racing, Riquelme was forced to shoulder much more of the load than usual, with many of Boca's other stars on international duty with their respective countries. After Pablo Caballero had given Racing the lead in Avellaneda after poor set piece marking (an Achilles' heal for Boca all season), Riquelme grabbed the game as he has so many times in his career.

Just after halftime, Riquelme nearly scored a great solo effort, but after his shot that had just snuck under Racing keeper Jorge Alberto de Olivera and onto the post, Lucas Viatri reacted first to the rebound and slid in to bundle the ball home and level the match at one each.

Viatri, starting in place of Martin Palermo, then played a neat pass to Riquelme in the area, and the former Villareal and Barcelona star rolled the ball back into the path of Viatri with an exquisite back heel for the striker to slot home.

Riquelme was at the heart of Boca's attacking moves in yesterday's 2-1 win over Tigre, twice trying his luck with long-range free kicks. Just four minutes in, the number 10 sent a free kick from the left wing that had goalkeeper Daniel Islas scrambling, although he was able to recover and tip the ball out for a corner. Just before half time, "Roman" (as he is known to Boca fans) took another direct free kick from long range, this time striking the near post with Islas stranded. 

After the restart, Roman sent a great ball over the top for Nicolas Gaitan to run onto and fire past Islas. Boca grabbed a second through a counter attack started expertly by goalkeeper Roberto "El Pato" Abbondanzieri, and culminating when Gaitan headed home Pocho Insua's cross. 

Roman went on to miss a few chances and Boca failed to put Tigre away, making for a frantic final ten minutes after Carlos Luna had pulled the away side one back. Abbondanzieri was forced to make a few important saves as set piece marking continues to be an issue, and former Boca player Rudolfo Arruabarrena headed wide at the far post.

Despite the nervous ending to yesterday's match, Boca feel rejuvenated after picking up three wins in a row. Riquelme said after the game that "We feel we have an obligation to fight for the championship."  With Riquelme back in form, and Nicolas Gaitan using the flanks well and finally settling into the position left vacant by Rodrigo Palacio (who left for Genoa) and Pablo Mouche (out injured) next to Martin Palermo, Boca's attack looks more than poised to contend down to the wire. It is possible however that Mouche could return Sunday, although it would be quite disappointing to see Gaitan sent to the bench after such a good game against Tigre.

Chilean international Gary Medel will return from suspension, but it is expected that Ariel Rosado will retain is place in midfield.

At the back, Paraguayan international Morel Rodriguez has missed out of late through injury, but Luciano Monzon has put in some promising performances, especially going forward, and could make the position his own, even if Morel is fit. Hugo Ibarra also put in a promising effort against Tigre, starting the counter very well on a few occasions, and forcing a great save from Islas after finding space in the area. The only true question for Boca seems to be marking at set pieces, with Julio Cacares looking particularly vulnerable.

While Boca look to erase some errors before Sunday's massive encounter at El Monumental in Nunez, they must be happy to have stability after Alfio Basile remained in charge, despite offering his resignation to the club.

At River, Nestor Gorosito has left his post, and was replaced by Leanardo Astrada, whose side was involved in a tight 0-0 draw with Hurucan on Sunday. Although his team is floundering just two points above bottom side Tigre, Astrada will feel vindicated for replacing former Napoli goalkeeper Nicolas Navarro with Daniel Vega, who made a number of key saves.

Upfront, River must look to improve, with Ariel Ortega showing signs of age after his miraculous lobbed goal against Chacarita Juniors during the first match of the season. Another former Argentina international, Marcelo Gallardo, will have to be influential from midfield, while little Diego Buonanotte is another threat, especially from set pieces. 

Despite the early season turmoil for both clubs, and the resurgence of Boca, the Superclasico will, as always, be an event to behold, and the outcome can certainly not be predicted.

If Boca wish to contend for the title and play in the Copa Libertadores next year, they must win Sunday. Although Boca sit just five points back of leaders San Lorenzo, they find themselves in ninth place in what has so far been one of the most exciting and competitive tournaments in recent memory.