Diego Maradona returned to “La Bombonera” after his problems with Juan Roman Riquelme last year. The midfielder resigned to the National team after a series of declarations that were made by Maradona on national TV. Boca supported Riquelme, and they showed their opinion by placing flags against Diego. In today’s match the whole stadium chanted “Para Riquelme la seleccion”, in support of the midfielder and requesting his presence on the National squad.
Albes was forced to make changes on the team after both Hugo Ibarra and Morel Rodriguez were sided with injuries. The youngsters Munoz and Monzon replaced the experienced vets, and what looked like a problem at first became a solution in defense for Boca Juniors. They both played a crucial role on the match, especially Monzon who assisted Medel on the second goal.
In the start of the match, River came out really aggressive with both Oscar Ahumada and Matias Almeyda pressuring on the midfield, creating spaces for Paulo Ferrari to join the attack. The first couple of chances for River came from Ferrari, with two early crosses, one did not connect with Funes Mori the other one ended with Gallardo falling and asking for an inexistent penalty kick.
Alves recognized the tactical set up of River Plate, and moved his pieces. He pushed Matias Gimenez higher into the mid, and dropped Riquelme into his back, this stopped the progress of Ferrari who had to stay and defend. Alves neutralized Gallardo by sending both Jesus Mendez and Gary Medel to pressure his zone. Boca slowly began to control the game by using Monzon and Medel on the flanks, added to this the playmaking ability of Riquelme and the speed of Nicolas Gaitan in the front. Medel was yellow carded for an aggressive foul (take note into this), to show that the tempers of both teams were high.
The first goal of the match came from an innocents foul committed by Oscar Ahumada, after he missed to clear the ball he took down Gimenez for a foul right near the edge of the box. El Maestro, Juan Roman Riquelme, placed the ball right through the wall and found Gary Medel, who tapped the ball into the net with no opposition. The Chilean international, who already had a yellow, climbed the fence and celebrated with the fans, this excessive celebration should have been punished with a yellow card, and in such case Medel would have been sent off.
Minutes after the goal, Marcelo Gallardo broke the defense with a through ball leave Funes Mori one on one with Javier Garcia. The 19 year striker of River Plate took a weak shot that was easily controlled By Javier Garcia; this was one of the two clear chances the youngster wasted. This goal would have made a big difference in the game.
Boca began to control the match, with little to no opposition. In the second half, River displayed no attitude. In my opinion, the team looked more like they were trying to avoid more goals instead of equalizing the match.
The second goal was probably one of the best goals this week, a collective play. Mendez carried the ball to Riquelme into the midfield, Riquelme put a through ball into the left wing to find Monzon (left back), the defender made his way into the attacking third and nut megged Paulo Ferrari, put a low cross into Nico Gaitan, who opened his legs to let the ball through allowing Medel to find the ball in front of him, the shot, with violent force, ended in the back of the net to seal the game.
Medel was having a dream match with two goals against no other than the eternal rivals, River Plate. He had a contest with Marcelo Gallardo; Gallardo head butted and bit Medel, who just pushed him back. But minutes later, Medel would hit Matias Almeyda from behind and receive the red card. That did not stop Medel from receiving a big applause from the local crowd.
Boca Juniors defeated River Plate 2-0 and came out of the bottom of the table. After the match there was a big hug between Riquelme and Alves, to prove that their relationship is ok. Diego Maradona also spoke to the radio and said “Riquelme was phenomenal”.
Boca got three really important point, but most important a moral result. Alves seems to have found his team. He will not be able to repeat the teams against Chacarita on Sunday because he reached his 5th yellow card.
On the other side, River looked lost, with no attitude. The best player for River was Marcelo Gallardo, who tried but could not break the defense. River has a lot to fix before Monday’s match against Argentinos Juniors.
Medel gives Boca a victory against River Plate
.jpg)
