Boca Juniors v River Plate: The Superclasico Copa Libertadores final in Opta Facts
Boca will begin their bid to win South America's premier club competition for a record-equalling seventh time against their most fierce rivals at La Bombonera on Saturday.
However, River have won each of their last three appearances in the Libertadores final – most recently in 2015, which was also masterminded by head coach Marcelo Gallardo.
Ahead of the first leg, we bring you the best Opta Facts on one of the biggest games South America has ever seen.
1 - #Boca and #River will meet in a Copa #Libertadores final for the first time ever. Unbeatable. https://t.co/DL6QXcuLHB— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) November 1, 2018
THE TEAMS
- Boca and River have met 24 times in the Libertadores; the Xeneizes have won 10 and the Millonarios have triumphed in seven.
- It will be the 11th Libertadores final Boca have featured in – more than any other side, moving them clear of Penarol's 10 appearances.
- Boca have never lost the first leg of a Libertadores final played at La Bombonera, winning three (against Cruzeiro, Santos and Gremio) and drawing three (against Palmeiras, Once Caldas and Corinthians).
- Both teams have won six, drawn five and lost one of their 12 games in this year's competition.
¡Así fue el camino de @BocaJrsOficial rumbo a la final de la #CONMEBOLLibertadores! Marcó 21 goles en 12 partidos para alcanzar la definición y jugar contra @CARPoficial.
¿Cuál te pareció el mejor? pic.twitter.com/E1LpKpevwc
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) November 4, 2018
THE STATS
- In the past five Superclasicos in all competitions, the team with the greater share of possession lost the match (three wins for River, two for Boca).
- Boca have attempted seven shots more than River in this year's Libertadores (155 to 148), but River have had one more on target (52 to 51).
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto's side have a higher passing accuracy (79.9 per cent) and average possession (53.4 per cent) than River (74.6 per cent and 52 per cent) in this year's Libertadores.
- Boca have outscored River by seven in the first half of matches in the 2018 edition, but both have 10 in second periods.
¡Así fue el camino de @CARPoficial a la final de la #CONMEBOLLibertadores! Marcó 14 goles en 12 partidos para alcanzar la definición y jugar contra @BocaJrsOficial.
¿Cuál te pareció el mejor? pic.twitter.com/Vh3AvSB46P
— CONMEBOL Libertadores (@Libertadores) November 5, 2018
THE PLAYERS
- Cristian Pavon has been involved in more goals (eight – three goals, five assists) and more shots (50 – 32 attempted, 18 chances created) than any player on either team in this year's Libertadores.
- Boca captain Pablo Perez has made more recoveries (99) than any other player in the competition.
- River striker Lucas Pratto has been involved in (125) and won (65) the most aerial duels in this year's Libertadores.
- Gonzalo Martinez has been involved in three of the last four goals scored by Gallardo's men against Boca in all competitions, scoring two and assisting one.
15 - @AgustinAlmendr5 recovered 15 balls against @catigreoficial, the second highest for a @BocaJrsOficial player in the First Division since 2013 (16 Frank Fabra in September 2017 against Vélez Sarsfield). Pac-man. https://t.co/FJdm45XvJ3— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) November 4, 2018