This emaciated Argentine football, which as the first two classified for the Libertadores 2026 has Platense and Independiente Rivadavia, very, very far from the hierarchy that it offers at the National Team level, it beats with passion. It beats for some stories it proposes. It also beats for its biggest game. For the Superclásico. That’s why this Sunday will be special. Boca and River play in that unique temple that is La Bombonera, starting at 8:30 p.m. Spanish time (Movistar Plus+). And anything can happen…
Boca seems to be much better than River, but neither of them manages to convince in the game. They still do not define an identity. The xeneizes are deceiving because they suffered the hardest blows in the first half of the year. With millionaires it happens the other way around. However, deep down, both know that they are in debt and guarantee nothing.
Leandro Paredes-Juanfer Quintero Pulse
In this context, more than ever it will be a game of moments. Of tension and muscle. Of individual duels and inspirations. Boca recovers Leandro Paredes, who served the suspension and returns to a team that will have Ander Herrera on the bench (with a very good income before Students) already Edinson Cavani protagonist of a testimonial return because he has not recovered from his distension. Will Paredes manage to weigh more in his Boca than Juanfer Quintero in his River?
Another advantage that Boca has is the present of its forwards, much more powerful and sweeter than the present of River’s attackers. In that item, the xeneizes today they enjoy Exequiel Zeballos, who in the last three games was hyper-destabilizing. But they also accompany him a couple of steps down Miguel Merentiel and Milton Giménez.
On the other hand, among millionaires, those who must hurt at the top all go through a bad streak. Will it be again Maxi Salas, For example, that devastating attacker that he was in Racing? Facundo Colidio injured and Miguel Borja at a low level, Gallardo hesitates to include Sebastian Driussi, that he is not in the best physical moment, and could go out alone with a real forward to add another midfielder and not depend so much on Juanfer, all in a drawing that would have a line of 5 defenders designed to give greater strength to a fragile team and to free up the lateral markers a little more.
Ubeda, against Gallardo, in his debut in a Superclásico
That of the coaches is a separate game. Claudio Ubeda has 3 wins and 2 losses since he occupies the place of the deceased Miguel Russo. And it will be his first Superclásico in this role. What a test.
While Gallardo is going through his worst moment as a coachto the point that to decompress its complex scenario was ratified until the end of 2026 for the new and young president Stefano Di Carlo, in a move that quells rumors and gives security to a brand new political leadership but does not erase the football difficulties and the terrible results, with the last 0-1 against Gimnasia at the Monumental as the last example.
Libertadores 2026 at stake
On this penultimate date of the regular phase, Boca arrives at the top of Zone A With 23 points and a tie they will guarantee their qualification for the playoffs. Riveron the other hand, is not so comfortable in Zone B: sixth with 21.
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On the other hand, looking at the annual table, this Superclásico can mark the international future of both. Boca with a draw will qualify for Libertadores 2026. River does not want to fail because seeing that Cup that obsesses on TV would be a lethal blow. Yes: it is a Boca-River with a lot at stake.
