It’s Superclásico weekend
For the first time ever, Copa Libertadores final will be competed between two sides either side of the fiercest rivalry in world football: Boca Juniors vs River Plate.
The final is comprised of two legs, meaning we get to see the iconic derby twice in the space of a week, the first of which will be played on Sunday 11th November after it was suspended due to a waterlogged pitch at Boca’s stadium, La Bombonera.
The rivalry is one of the most historic and hate-filled in the world, and the upcoming clashes between to the two teams have therefore piqued the interest of football fans around the world, even those of us who rarely watch South American club football.
Kick off is at the very reasonable hour of 7pm GMT, which is 4pm in Buenos Aires. The second leg will be played exactly six days after the first, at El Monumental, just 15km down the coast.
Thankfully, the game will be broadcast on UK television.
Both BT Sport 2 and Free Sports will show the games, so pretty much anyone who wants to can watch the hotly anticipated match.
Expect an intimidating atmosphere, coin throwing, rash tackles, pyro, banners, and spectacular scenes in the event of a goal.
For those prone to heart problems, a radio station in South America will broadcast commentary of the game in a calm manner with ‘zen’ music in the background. That is how serious this final is.
The tie will feature a few familiar faces to fans of the Premier League and European football more generally.
Carlos Tevez, formerly of Manchester United and City – who also meet this weekend – will be leading the line for Boca. Tevez is now in his third spell with the club, having won the Copa Libertadores with them as a 19-year-old.
He will be partnered in attack by Mauro Zarate, whom you may remember from his short-lived spells at West Ham, Birmingham and QPR.
River Plate, meanwhile, have Enzo Perez in the middle of the park, who went to the World Cup with Argentina in the summer. He’s slightly over the hill now, but his experience in big finals will come in handy for the away side tonight.
To test your knowledge of past Argentina players and which side of the rivalry they fought on, have a crack at this quiz.
