South America’s best team will be confirmed at El Monumental on Saturday as Buenos Aires’ Superclasico rivals go head-to-head
Boca Juniors and River Plate are set to lock horns in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores finals at El Monumental on Sunday.
The game had originally been scheduled for Saturday, but a ferocious attack on the Boca bus forced officials to postpone the decider and they have rescheduled.
The tie itself is locked level after the Superclasico rivals played out a tempestuous 2-2 draw at La Bombonera in the first leg, meaning the game was already primed to be a tense affair.
Boca are chasing their seventh Copa Libertadores title, while River will pick up their fourth crown if they can overcome their eternal rivals.
| Game | River Plate vs Boca Juniors |
| Date | Sunday, November 25 |
| Time | 8pm GMT / 3pm ET |
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be streamed live on Goal and it can be watched live on TV on FreeSports or BT Sport 2.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| FreeSports / BT Sport 2 | Goal |
In the United States (US), the game will be available to watch on FOX Deportes (Spanish) and it can be streamed live using the Fox Soccer Match Pass (English).
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| FOX Deportes | Fox Soccer Match Pass |
| Position | River squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Armani, Lux, Centurion |
| Defenders | Maidana, Moreira, Lollo, Casco, Pinola, Montiel, Sibile, Gallardo, Aguirre, H. Martinez |
| Midfielders | Zuculini, Quintero, G. Martinez, De La Cruz, Sosa, Palacios, Mayada, Ferrera, Ponzio, Perez, Fernandez, L. Martinez |
| Forwards | Mora, Alvarez, Borre, Pratto, Beltran, Rollheiser |
River will be without Rafael Santos Borre, who is suspended, while Ignacio Scocco is set to miss out through injury. Veteran midfielder Leondardo Ponzio is available once more after overcoming an injury.
Potential River XI: Armani; Montiel, Maidana, Pinola, Casco; Palacios, Perez, G. Martinez, Ponzio, Quintero; Pratto.
| Position | Boca squad |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Andrada, Lampe, Rossi |
| Defenders | Goltz, Mas, Magallan, Izquierdoz, Buffarini, Olaza |
| Midfielders | Gago, Perez, Nandez, Barrios, Jara, Almendra, Cardona, Reynoso |
| Forwards | Zarate, Tevez, Pavon, Benedetto, Abila, Villa, Espinoza |
Guillermo Barros Schelotto announced a 24-man squad for the second leg, but a number of players are now serious concerns after sustaining injuries and trauma during the bus attack.
Pablo Perez and Gonzalo Lamardo were taken to hospital, with the former treated for shards of glass in the eye, while the latter sustained cuts to his head. Other players were visibly ill and it remains to be seen who will be fit to play.
Potential Boca XI: Andrada; Jara, Izquierdoz, Magallan, Olaza; Nandez, Barrios, Gago; Villa, Abila, Tevez.
Home advantage in the second leg means that River are considered favourites by bet365 to win, with odds of 11/10. Boca’s chances of victory have taken a dip after Saturday’s attack and they are priced 10/3 to win. A draw is a 19/10 bet.
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Boca entered a cauldron of antipathy on Saturday when their bus was destroyed on the way to El Monumental and they now face the unenviable task of playing River just a day after the violent events.
Both clubs agreed that no away fans would be permitted to attend either game of the finals, but the precautionary measure did not prevent the scenes which marred the build-up to the second leg.
CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez described it as “a sad day for South American football” and Azul y Oro legend Juan Roman Riquelme has suggested that Saturday’s attack renders the outcome of the game meaningless and argued that neither team should be expected to play.
Nevertheless, while things would now appear to be stacked firmly against Boca they are set to contest the second leg nonetheless.
Though it is in operation in the rest of the tournament, the away goals rule will not apply in the final, so if the game finishes in a draw it will go straight to penalties.
For more information on the Copa Libertadores please visit:
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