…Until the superclásico, the fiercest derby rivalry on the planet, takes place in La Bombonera, near the mouth of the ever-so-fragrant Riachuelo. In recent years, Boca Juniors vs. River Plate has topped separate lists in British newspaper The Observer and footie magazine FourFourTwo as the one sporting fixture you should try to attend during your lifetime.
Popular myth has it that the rivarly was born when the two sides, both founded in the dockside area of La Boca, played a match to decide who got to stay there and who had to move out. Quite why either side would need to, popular myth doesn’t explain. Anyway, Boca won the match and River had to up sticks, first to Palermo and then a little further north to Nuñez, where they’re located today. The truth behind the move may have been a little more rooted in where there were pitches available to play on, but Boca did indeed win the first match between the clubs, in August 1908, 2-1. Since then, it’s been 99 years of hatred.
Historically, Boca have had the upper hand ever since, and their fans refer to River as ‘hijo‘, or ‘son’ – claims of fatherhood being the way to lord it over one’s rivals in the southern cone. In 298 meetings in all competitions (and friendlies), Boca have won 112 and River 96, with 91 draws. In the league it’s a little closer, 65-60 in Boca’s favour with 54 draws. But can a severely out of form River start to claw back the advantage? Hasta Lo Gol Siempre will bring you the important bits of the buildup over the coming days…
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“the one sporting fixture you should try to attend during your lifetime”
“Try” is the important word here. And try I did. Bloody impossible. I tried to get through on the woefully inadequate phone line for half an hour, and when I did they had sold out, and I went back to bed to try to sleep.
The tickets are now on sale at ridiculously inflated prices on the Internet.
At least I tried. Humph.
In a way, I suppose this comes at the perfect time for River. Unable to rouse themselves against the likes of Belgrano, Quilmes, Caracas, Quito, Argentinos Jnrs, etc, maybe the challenge of the old enemy will magically bring out their best. Boca’s own form has been uneven, with several good wins in the league peppered with a dead performance every few weeks. Usually in the Libertadores, but don’t forget San Lorenzo taking them apart at home.