When Boca’s followers believed they had hit rock bottom, Juan Roman Riquelme and company decided the prove everyone that they were wrong, there is still more ground for the fall. The week previous to the Superclasico always brings out the best and the worst from each club, and it’s not the exception for Boca Juniors, who seems to be having a week from hell. Will they hit rock bottom on Sunday?

Everything started on Sunday, when Boca Juniors visited Tigre. The team coached by Abel Alves was outplayed in every line and returned home empty handed, after giving up three to Carlos Luna. (Boca is currently the team with the most goals against, 18 goals in 9 matches). After the game Boca’s followers demanded a win on Sundays game against River Plate.

After the game Alves held a press conference in which he stated that he was disappointed with the performance of team and concerned in particular with the attitude that the team displays in every match. This infuriated many players in the team, including Juan Roman Riquelme and Martin Palermo, two names that have a huge backing from the followers. Both are still upset at Alves after he decided to wipe both Roberto Abbondanzieri and Hugo Ibarra from the squad. Alves mentioned that Riquelme is not a good example for the youngsters coming up, “I can accept the fact that Riquelme may not run in practice, but I cannot have Gaitan doing the same” said Alves.

Rumors state that Alves tried to exclude both Palermo and Riquelme from the team that will host River on Sunday, but was stopped by the board. It is probably not a smart decision to head into this match without them two, the fans would go crazy if Boca loses the game and Riquelme and Palermo watch it from the stands. But nobody assured that they would remain in the squad after the “Superclasico”. Alves’ main plan is to clear the path for the next coach; part of the process is to let go of some players like Hugo Ibarra, Juan Roman Riquelme, Prediger and Palermo.

To add more fuel into the fire, the former Colombia International and Boca Juniors idol Jorge “El Patron” Bermudez gave his opinion about the situation of Boca Juniors. Bermudez is not someone who holds his opinion. During a recent interview with Espn Deportes , Bermudez said “There needs to be a change soon. The team has no structure; and this is something that was carried from the Basile era”. Bermudez openly criticized Matias Gimenez, for not wanting to play in the reserves as well as Gabriel Paletta for not wanting to travel as a substitute. Bermudez also mentioned that the team needs to change its attitude for the better of the institution. He concluded the interview by saying that he feels he is ready to coach the team.

The board has one name to succeed Abel Alves next semester, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. However, Guillermo said that he will not coach the team as long as Riquelme is part of the squad. This is not the first time these two have problems, this goes back to the times in which Carlos Bianchi was head coach.

The main problem right now seems to be Juan Roman Riquelme. He was excluded of F.C. Barcelona, he had issues with Manuel Pellegrini at Villarreal and with Diego Maradona in the National team. My question is, who is the problem? Riquelme? or Pellegrini, Maradona and Alves? Clearly Riquelme has been questioned through his career, and most falls into his attitude.

Boca entered the week from hell, and Sunday they can find themselves at the bottom of the league table if Atletico Tucuman wins and they don't defeat River. This will most likely not result in the resignation of Abel Alves, but it will create a hard situation for the historic players. Boca did not participate in the Libertadores this semester, and is out of the chase for the league title. Oh and things can get worse, visit Simply Futbol for more information this week.