“It was the game that everyone expected, tough with lots of fight,” said River Plate defender Javier Pinola. The palpable hype surrounding the first ever Superclásico to take place in the Copa Libertadores final was always going to be difficult to live up to but thankfully for all onlookers, the match didn’t disappoint. An enthralling 2-2 draw between the fierce city rivals of Buenos Aires has only served to heighten interest ahead of the second leg in this two-legged final.
Boca Juniors were the bookies favourites ahead of kick-off, the current back-to-back Argentine Primera División champions last won the Copa Libertadores in 2007. River Plate, on the other hand, last lifted South America’s version of the Champions League only three years ago, in 2015. We take a closer look at how both teams approached arguably the most eagerly anticipated Copa Libertadores final in history.
Different approaches, similar limitations
Though they often play in a 4-4-2 setup, Guillermo Schelotto’s Boca Juniors make use of a variety of formations and can switch fluidly between them over different segments of a game. Schelotto deployed a 4-3-3 from the kick-off on Sunday, leaving star name Carlos Tevez on the bench, the Argentine legend has become somewhat of a bit-part player in the twilight years of his career. Boca’s 4-3-3 looked designed to provide width for the Azul y Oro with wingers Sebastián Villa and Christian Pavón key to their attacking intent.
From the early minutes of the match, Boca looked to control proceedings when in possession by making the pitch big, playing out from the back and using their wide men, Villa, in particular, to shuttle the ball up the pitch in transitions, often pinning River Plate back in their own half. Aggressive in a tackle but calm in possession, Colombian Wílmar Barrios sits deepest of the Xeneizes midfield.
Having the ball is only an asset if you can use it purposefully to hurt and/or frustrate your opponents, possession without purpose can render a team lifeless. For all of Boca’s good build-up play and width, a serious lack of attacking movement killed many decent passing moves and forward momentum.
River Plate boss, Marcelo Gallardo is also a proponent of the 4-4-2 formation but perhaps wisely in such a hostile environment and in such a huge game, began with a more cautious setup. River set their stall in a 3-5-2 formation, becoming 5 at the back in defensive phases. The back three were aggressive and disciplined, not giving Boca forwards time in possession and aggressively pressing any opposition forays into their half.
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